The seeds of Xanthocerus (called Yellowhorn and Popcorn Tree) are edible and “when roasted are said to taste like macadamia nuts.” I’ve read that in many online references to this plant, and I’ve quoted it in my own catalog, but I’d never actually tasted one of the seeds myself—or met any who had. I hate that kind of second and third hand knowledge that gets passed around in the horticultural world and yet here I was, propagating it myself. Bad me!
We first grew this plant eleven years ago. We brought some bareroot stock in from Lawyer nursery and potted them in a tall narrow pot. They had long roots, but they were only 2’ tall and they weren’t easy to sell. Most people don’t like to buy a tree they can look down on. Eventually, though, they all sold and one went to a customer we knew in Colorado City. She came back each year and reported on the tree. It was a speedy grower and soon reached 15’ tall. It started blooming, too, only a few years after she planted it.
The tree has been a success in all ways—winter hardy at her elevation (6200’) and covered with beautiful white flowers in the spring. In late summer it produces large pods that are filled with seeds. Our customer started collecting the pods and bringing them to us and from those seeds we’ve grown many more trees. The seeds are large. Here they are next to much smaller basil seeds.
The Yellowhorn seeds are covered with a hard shell. Very hard. I call them seeds, but maybe nut or nutlet is the better word.
After finally cracking the shell, I tried them raw and they seemed sort of tasteless and they left a strange after-tastelessness in my mouth.
After roasting they tasted better, a very mild nutty flavor. I don’t think the macadamia nut has anything to fear, but I might save some from the next crop for a snack. A few were roasted for too long and they tasted a little bit like a burnt popcorn kernel.
Xanthoceras sorbifolia was named Plant Select in 2007.
