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Parrotia persica

Persian Ironwood · Persian Witch-hazel · Parrottia

Family HamamelidaceaeGenus Parrotia

Broad glossy leaves with wavy toothed edges and deep parallel veins, catching the sun on a branch against blue sky.
LeafWaheed buttCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Shrub, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Height
15-30 ft4.6-9.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
15-30 ft4.6-9.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Red/BurgundyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, WinterExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Iran, TranscaucasusGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Persian ironwood is endemic to the Alborz mountains of northern Iran and nearby Azerbaijan. In autumn its leaves turn purple, orange and brilliant red, often on the same tree. Wikipedia: Parrotia persica

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

Germination happens during step 1, in 84 days.

90% germination in 84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Parrotia p. 186Public domain
Show the original text
Parrotia (Hamamelidaceae). P. persica germ. best in 40(90% in 12th w) and less in 70-40(50% in 9-1 1'w)
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Parrotia p. 186. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

50% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Parrotia p. 186Public domain
Show the original text
Parrotia (Hamamelidaceae). P. persica germ. best in 40(90% in 12th w) and less in 70-40(50% in 9-1 1'w)
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Parrotia p. 186. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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