Caucasian wingnut
Pterocarya fraxinifolia

Family: Juglandaceae

What it is like

A dome shaped deciduous tree. It grows 25 m high. It spreads 18 m wide. The branches are stout. The bark is grey and broken into a network of cracks. The twigs are hollow in the centre divided into plates. The leaves and flowers do not have scales. The leaves are alternate and divided into 7-21 leaflets. These are along the stalk. The leaflets do not have stalks and have teeth around the edge. They are shiny and bright green above and paler underneath. The male and female flowers are separate on the stalk. The male catkin is fat and the female in narrow. They are 7.5-12.5 cm long. The fruit is winged. The long fruiting catkins carry many winged seeds.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to the E. Caucasus and N. Iran. It grows in damp places near streams. It will also grow in drier places. It needs sheltered places protected from late frosts. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Britain, Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe, France, Georgia, Iran, Middle East, Russia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kavkaški krilati oreškar

Synonyms

Juglans fraxinifolia Lam.;