Caragana gerrardiana
Royle
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Suman Poudel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Suman Poudel
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Ricardo Ibáñez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Ricardo Ibáñez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A spiny shrub with dense branches. It grows 80-120 cm tall and forms a flat topped tight clump. The spines of the stem are 1-4 vm long. The leaves are divided. There are 6-12 pairs of leaflets and these are oblong to sword shaped. They are hairy. The flowers occur singly and are yellow and without stalks. They occur along the stem. The fruit are pods with dense grey hairs.
Edible Uses
None known.
Traditional Uses
Flowers are eaten raw.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Afghanistan, Asia, China, Himalayas*, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet,
Propagation
Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, where it typically germinates within 2 weeks. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water before sowing in a cold frame. If the seed has not swollen after soaking, scarify it and re-soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Germination usually occurs within 2–3 weeks at 20°C, with a good success rate. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter, then plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7–10cm with a heel, can be taken in July or August and rooted in a frame. Layering can be carried out in spring.
Other Uses
This plant can be grown as a low, impenetrable hedge. It is viciously spiny and an effective barrier. It also fixes nitrogen.
