Castanea ozarkensis
Ozark Chinkapin
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Castanea genus in the family Fagaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - raw or cooked[2][4][5]. Small but tasty[6]. 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].
- 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
- Central N. America - Mississippi to Oklahoma.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- 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[11]. 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].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a good well-drained slightly acid loam but it also succeeds in dry soils[1][3][7]. Once established, it is very drought tolerant[1][3][7]. Very tolerant of highly acid, infertile dry sands[7]. Averse to calcareous soils but succeeds on harder limestones[3][7]. Although it is winter-hardy in most parts of Britain, this species only really thrives in areas with hot summers[7]. An excellent soil-enriching understorey in pine forests[7]. Flowers are produced on wood of the current year's growth[8]. Plants are fairly self-sterile[7]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. 1984-00-00 ISBN 0802707699
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00