Heartnut, Japanese walnut, Siebold walnut, Onigurumi
Juglans ailanthifolia

Family: Juglandaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 25 m tall. It is a broadly spreading tree. The bark is grey-brown and becomes cracked with age and breaks into small pieces. The leaves are large and divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are 11-17 leaflets which have short points and teeth. They are 15 cm long. They are dark green above and hairy on both sides. They grow on stout, sticky, hairy shoots. The male and female flowers occur separately on the same plant. Male flowers are in catkins 30 cm long which hang off old shoots. The female flowers are in catkins 10 cm long and have red stigmas and are at the ends of young shoots. The fruit is a brown nut with shallow pits and is in a sticky green husk. It is 5 cm long and they occur in clusters of up to 20. The nuts are edible.

There are about 21-30 Juglans species. All species bear edible nuts.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Japan. It grows in wet areas and by streams. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Europe, Japan (country/location of origin), North America, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten raw or cooked. Young buds and fruit stalks are boiled and eaten. Nut kernels can be pickled or made into marmalade when green.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, buds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Plants can be grafted.

Trees are fast growing. Seedling trees can produce nuts in 5 years. Trees often only live 30 years. Nuts are very hard to crack.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Jiglans sachalinensis Komatsu; Juglans sieboldiana Maxim;