Practical
Plants

Castanea alnifolia

Bush Chinkapin

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Castanea genus in the family Fagaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Fagaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - raw or cooked[2][4]. Of excellent quality[5]. The seed is small but it is sweet and larger than C. pumila[3][5] though produced less abundantly[3]. Eaten raw, there is a distinct astringency, especially if the fleshy inner skin beneath the outer shell of the seed is not removed[K]. When cooked, however, and especially when baked, the seed becomes much sweeter and has a floury texture[K]. It then makes an excellent food and can be used as a staple food in much the same way as potatoes or cereals[K]. The burs have less prickles, making it easier to harvest the seed[5].

Plant part
Seed

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark, leaves, wood and seed husks all contain tannin.

Product or use
Tannin

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - N. Carolina to Arkansas.
Habitat
Dry sandy soils[3][10][8] in open woodlands or in thickets[7], also in rich upland deciduous woodlands[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - where possible sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in a seed bed outdoors[9]. The seed must be protected from mice and squirrels. The seed has a short viability and must not be allowed to become dry. It can be stored in a cool place, such as the salad compartment of a fridge, for a few months if it is kept moist, but check regularly for signs of germination. The seed should germinate in late winter or early spring. If sown in an outdoor seedbed, the plants can be left in situ for 1 - 2 years before planting them out in their permanent positions. If grown in pots, the plants can be put out into their permanent positions in the summer or autumn, making sure to give them some protection from the cold in their first winter[K]. Division of suckers in winter[6]. They can be planted straight out into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a good well-drained slightly acid loam but succeeds in dry soils[1][3][6]. Once established, it is very drought tolerant[1][3][6]. Very tolerant of highly acid, infertile dry sands[6]. Averse to calcareous soils but succeeds on harder limestones[3][6]. This species only really thrives in areas with hot summers[6], it may not be hardy in Britain[3]. Another report says that it succeeds in climatic zone 7 and should therefore tolerate temperatures down to at least -10°c[6]. Usually a small shrub[3], this species occasionally reaches small-tree size (as C. alnifolia floridana. Sarg.)[10] This species is similar to and often confused with C. pumila[1][3]. An excellent soil-enriching understorey shrub in pine forests[6]. It grows into a clump by means of suckers[5][6]. Flowers are produced on wood of the current year's growth[8]. Plants are fairly self-sterile[6]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[6]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  7. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩

  8. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  10. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2

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