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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Colutea istria is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

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

Hedge Hedge Soil reclamation

Used in land reclamation projects in the Negev desert, consolidating soil and plant debris from flood waters[200]. Plants can be grown as a hedge[200].

Special Uses

Hedge Hedge Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[200]. Grows well on dry sunny banks and in poor soils[1, 182]. Dislikes strong winds, though another entry in the same book says that it tolerates salt-laden winds[200]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[200], but it should succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[182]. Even there it is probably best grown on a south or south-west facing wall[200]. According to the International Legume Database, this species may actually be Colutea abyssinica Kunth & Bouch., a species found in N. Africa where it grows in montane grassland and shrubland. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth[200]. 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].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in hot water and sow late winter in a greenhouse[113]. Scarification can help speed up the germination process[164]. Germination can be slow and erratic[200], though treated seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[164]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[78]. Cuttings are not very long-lived[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Egypt (Sinai), Israel, Jordan (west), Lebanon, Syria (west), Turkey (south)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Colutea arborescens	Bladder Senna	Shrub	3.6	4-8	F	LMH	SN	DM	0	2	4
Colutea x media		Shrub	3.0	5-9	F	LMH	SN	DM	0	0	3

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.

Colutea istria - Mill.