Maackia amurensis
Rupr.&Maxim.
Chinese Yellow Wood, Amur maackia
(c) 空猫 T. N, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 空猫 T. N
no rights reserved, uploaded by Viola Alekseeva
(c) Oleg Kosterin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleg Kosterin
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
Young leaves - cooked.
Where to Find It
E. Asia - China, northern and central Japan, Korea.
TEMPERATE ASIA: Amur, China, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Hokkaidô, Honshu, Japan, Jilin Sheng, Korea, Kurile Islands, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Primorye, Shandong Sheng,Russian Federation.
How to Identify
Maackia amurensis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
How to Grow
Succeeds in most soils and situations, including deep soils over chalk and dry soils. Prefers a good soil in a sunny position. Prefers a well-drained sandy soil. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c. A polymorphic species. It is closely related to the genus Cladrastis, and sometimes included in that genus. Plants flower when quite young. The flowers have a powerful scent of vanilla. Transplants readily, even when fairly large, but the mature plants resent pruning. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. 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.
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in hot water and then sow it in a cold frame in the autumn. The seed can also be pre-soaked and sown in late winter in a greenhouse. Variable germination. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the 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. Root cuttings 4cm long in December. Good percentage.
Other Uses
Wood. Wood - heavy, strong, very hard. Used for the interior of houses, utensils, tool handles etc. Nitrogen Fixer.
