Chinese walnut, Chinese butternut
Juglans cathayensis

Family: Juglandaceae

What it is like

A shrubby or large tree. It can grow to 15-21 m high and be spreading 15 m wide. The end buds are naked and rusty brown. The leaves are 16-30 cm long. The leaf stalk is 4-9 cm long. There are 5-7 leaflets. The leaflets are sword shaped and 10-18 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They have scales underneath. These are finely hairy and have teeth along the edge. The fruit are 5 cm across and occur in clusters 25 cm long. The nuts are sweet and edible. The nuts are oval and 2-3 cm long by 1.5-2.3 cm wide. The husk has wings. The shell has 4 faint ridges along it. Probably now Juglans mandshurica Maxim.

There are about 30 Juglans species. All species bear edible nuts.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to central and southern China. It grows on mountain slopes, valleys and riverbanks between 400-1500 m altitude. It is commonly cultivated for its edible nuts. It is cold hardy. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. in Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Taiwan

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten roasted with salt. They are also made into confectionary and sweetmeats. The nuts yield an edible oil.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chinese hickory, Dienanu, Gudu, Mountain Walnut, Nina, Shan he tao, Vathay walnut, Yehetao

Synonyms

Carya cathayensis Sarg.; Hicoria cathayensis (Sargent) Chun;