Habitat

• native to northern China up into Korea
• hardy to zone 6, and warmer parts of 5

Habit and Form

• a deciduous tree or large shrub
• oval form
• low branched
• 8' to 20' tall
• 5' to 16' wide
• medium texture
• slow growth rate

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement
• trifoliate, deciduous leaves
• 1" to 2.5" long
• up to 1" wide
• crenulate leaf margins
• oblique leaf base
• dark green leaf color
• winged petiole

Autumn Foliage

• yellow-green fall color

Flowers

• white flowers
• 5 petals
• 0.5" to 2" across
• fragrant
• blooms in April

Fruit

• yellow, berry-like fruit
• 1.5" across
• pubescent
• sour tasting
• ripen in September

Bark

• glabrous green stems
• triangular
• thorns are present
• stout stems

Culture

• easily transplanted
• prefers well-drained, acidic soil
• full sun

Landscape Use

• specimen
• hedge
• barrier

Liabilities

• thorns are lethal
• no serious pest problems

ID Features

• glabrous, small, sessile buds
• no terminal buds
• thorns
• trifoliate leaves with winged petioles
• triangular stems
• yellow berry-like fruit

Propagation

• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Flying Dragon' - The only commercial cultivar, this novelty plant features contorted and twisted green stems. This feature makes it interesting in the winter landscape. It is offered by specialty nurseries.