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Caragana frutex - (L.) K.Koch

Common Name Russian pea shrub
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 2-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shrub thickets among feather-grass steppes and steppelike meadows, dry slopes, riverside terraces, shore cliffs, forest margins, and mixed or pine forests[74].
Range Eurasia - European Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Russian Caucasus, western Siberia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, western China
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Caragana frutex Russian pea shrub


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Caragana frutex Russian pea shrub
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Caragana frutex is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1.2 m (4ft in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. digitata Lam. C. frutescens (L.) Medik. C. mollis (M.Bieb.) Besser. C. parvifolia Hoffm. Robinia frutescens (L.) DC. Robinia frutex L. Robinia mollis M.Bieb. Robinia tomentosa Fisch.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Caragana species are in the Legume Family, and well known for producing edible pods and peas. The pods are cylinder shaped and 2-3 cm long (1"). We could find no reference for this species is edible but it is likely!

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soil stabilization

Agroforestry Uses: The plant is useful for stabilizing soil on slopes[74]. Fixes nitrogen [1-2]. Other uses: Grown as an ornamental in gardens[74].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Caragana frutex prefers a continental climate with its hot summers, cold winters and usually a clear movement from one season to another. The dormant plant can tolerate temperatures down to at least -30°c, but in more maritime climates it is often tempted to come into growth early and this new growth can easily be damaged by late spring frosts[200]. Prefers full sun and a light sandy dry or well-drained soil[1, 11, 200]. Does not require a rich soil, succeeding on marginal land[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Profusely-branched, deciduous shrub; it can grow 50 - 150cm tall, occasionally to 300cm[11, 74]. The plant produces long, often erect, supple branches, that are not much divided except near the ends[11]. The plant produces suckers and can spread to form a thicket of growth[200]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1) . For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200 ]. It usually germinates in 2 weeks[K ]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water then sown in a cold frame[78 , 113 , 200 ]. If the seed has not swollen then scarify it and re-soak for another 12 hours before sowing[138 ]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[138 ]. Good percentage[11 ]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[113 ]. Layering in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Russian Peashrub

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, China, Europe, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, USA,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Caragana arborescensSiberian Pea Tree, Siberian peashrubShrub6.0 2-7 FLMNDM514
Caragana boisiiSiberian peatreeShrub2.0 2-9 FLMNDM404
Caragana brevispinaLong-Stalked Pea-shrubShrub2.5 4-9  LMNDM413
Caragana decorticans Shrub5.4 5-9  LMNDM001
Caragana fruticosaSiberian Peashrub,Shrub2.0 0-0 FLMNDM305
Caragana gerardiana Shrub1.0 4-8  LMHNM003
Caragana jubataShag-SpineShrub1.0 3-7  LMNDM013
Caragana microphyllaLittleleaf PeashrubShrub2.0 4-9 FLMNM003
Caragana pygmaeaPygmy PeashrubShrub1.2 3-7 SLMNDM102
Caragana sinicaChinese Pea ShrubShrub1.5 5-9  LMNDM12 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(L.) K.Koch

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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