Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - home page Science and Horticulture Conservation and Wildlife Collections Data and Publications Education
A Year at Kew Link to SeasonsLink to PlacesLink to Plants
link to Plants index
montage of plants

Heritage trees

More notable trees

Conservation of mature trees

Talking Trees


Image coming soon

 

 

Trees

Pterocarya paliurus

Native to the mountains of central China, Henry discovered this outstanding relative of the walnut in 1888. Introduced by Wilson for Messrs Veitch in 1901, this intriguing species is not in the trade. Kew collected this species in Nanjiang County, Sichuan and a specimen was offered in Kew's 2003 plant auction - this is likely to have been the first re-introduction of material for a century!

This large tree can reach twenty-five metres in height with a spread to eight metres. The large pinnate, dark, glossy green leaves form a foil for the bizarre olive green bottlebrush shaped catkins that are succeeded by chains of remarkable winged fruits up to five centimetres across shaped like miniature cymbals.

 

Find out more

places linkYou can see several specimens of Pterocarya paliurus at Wakehurst Place

kew linkSearch Kew's electronic Plant Information Centre for scientific information about Pterocarya paliurus

More plants

Up arrowBack up to: More notable trees

 

Home | A Year at Kew | Visiting Kew

Help / Contact