Yellowhorn is a rare, deciduous shrub or small tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to Northern China. It will grow in a variety of soil types, but prefers loamy soil, in a sunny, warm and dry location. This plant will perform at its best in a location that experiences dry springs and warm summers. It needs to be protected from frost and cold winds, as a late spring frost can damage the young growth. To stimulate the production of flower buds, summer heat that will help to fully ripen the wood is required. Its spring-blooming white flowers bloom with white edges and yellow throats. As the flower mature, the throat will turn to a deep maroon color. Plant as a specimen or in small groups, in a border back, or near a patio. Blooming takes place on old wood, so pruning should be accomplished after the spring bloom period. The flowers, foliage and seeds are edible. The flowers and leaves are usually boiled. The seed which is about the same size as a pea has a sweet taste, will remind you of a sweet chestnut. The seed is husked and ground into a powder, then boiled. An excellent choice for a small landscape, where light pruning can control the tree size. Its native habitat includes rocky slopes on hills and mountains. Insects Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Coral spot fungus can occur, particularly when the wood is not fully ripened and the plant is exposed to a late frost.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The dark green leaves that can grow up to 12" long have 9-17 leaflets that persist into the late fall. Each leaflet is 1.5-2" long.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
1" star-shaped 5 petaled white flowers with red or yellow centers form on 6-10" racemes. The racemes reach lengths of up to 10".
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
The 2.5" green fruits look like buckeyes. They can be either round or pear-shaped. The capsules contain large pea-sized seeds. When roasted, they are said to have a taste similar to macadamia nuts. The seeds are purplish-brown.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
This specimen has a single trunk and is non-suckering.