Plant Details

Xanthoceras sorbifolium

Yellowhorn

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Xanthoceras sorbifolium.

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Common names

15 names · 10 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese flowering chestnut[1]
  • goldenhorn[1]
  • shiny leaf yellowhorn[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Yellowhorn[1]
Other languages (9)
Dutch
  • Geelwortel
French
  • Xanthoceras
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • žlutoroh jeřábolistý[1]
Japanese
  • ブンカンカ[1]
Korean
  • 기름모과나무[1]
  • 기름밤나무[1]
  • 문관과[1]
Russian
  • Ксантоцерас рябинолистный[1]
Slovak
  • žltoroh jarabinolistý[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Xanthoceras sorbifolium — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • ブンカンカ — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • 文冠果 — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • 文冠果 — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • yellowhorn — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • shiny leaf yellowhorn — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • goldenhorn — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • Chinese flowering chestnut — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • žlutoroh jeřábolistý — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • Ксантоцерас рябинолистный — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • 기름밤나무 — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • 문관과 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • 기름모과나무 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.
  • žltoroh jarabinolistý — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 559435; Xanthoceras sorbifolium.

General information

Scientific name: Xanthoceras sorbifolium
Accepted name (Kew): Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Sapindaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Xanthoceras (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Yellowhorn
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Nut tree, Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 2.44–7.62 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 3.05–7.62 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Slow
Sources [2]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Erect, Spreading

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
Loam (Silt)
Sources [2]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Full sun
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Flowers, Seed
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
Carbon farming

Description

Flowers, leaves, and seeds of this plant can all be cooked. The seeds, about the size of peas, have a very sweet taste that is similar to that of chestnuts. They can also be peeled and ground into powder.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/09
Harvest ends: 15/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 201688; name ID 2467610; Xanthoceras Bunge. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 579104; name ID 2467608; Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Xanthoceras sorbifolium — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .