Chinese wingnut, Maple Poplar, Large-leaved Willow
Pterocarya stenoptera

Family: Juglandaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows to 25-30 m high. The bark is grey-brown and develops deep cracks. The leaves have an even number of leaflets along the stalk. The leaf is 8-16 cm long. The leaf stalk is 2-6.5 cm long. There can be a few hairs and the leaf stalk is ridged or winged. There are normally 11-21 leaflets. These are 8-12 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The male and female flowers are in separate hanging catkins on the same plant. The male catkins are 6 cm long. The fruiting spike is 20-45 cm long. The nutlets are a long oval shape and 6-7 mm long.

It is widely cultivated as a shade tree.

Where it is found

It is native to China. It grows in forest on mountain slopes and near rivers from sea level to 1500 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Central Asia, China, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, SE Asia, Tajikistan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, nuts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Feng Yang, Yuanbaofeng, Money Maple, Dayeliu

Synonyms

Acer mairei H.Leveille; Pterocarya chinensis Lavallee; Pterocarya esquirolii H.Leveille; Pterocarya japonica Lavallee; Pterocarya laevigata Lavallee; Pterocarya stenoptera var. breviolata Pampanini; Pterocarya stenoptera var. kouitchensis Franchet; Pterocarya stenoptera var. sinensis Graebner;