Practical
Plants

Castanopsis sclerophylla

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Castanopsis genus in the family Fagaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Fagaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Fertility
Wind, Midges
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind, Midges

Uses

Edible uses

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

Seed - raw[9][4]. Small but sweet, it tastes like the N. American chinquapin, Castanea pumila[2]. The seed can be crushed and converted into a paste known as 'tou-fu', it resembles bean curd[2]. (This probably means that the crushed seed is also fermented[K]).

Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

The leaves are used to arrest puerperal haemorrhage and are also applied to chronic ulcers[6]. The seed is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[6].

Product or use
Astringent

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - E. and C. China.
Habitat
Woods, at an altitude of 600 - 1500 metres in W. Hupeh[2]. Broad-leaved evergreen forests at elevations of 200 - 1000 metres[8].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[3]. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out. It can be stored for a few months if kept cool and moist (putting it in a plastic bag that is placed in the salad compartment of a fridge works well). Stored seed should be soaked in warm water for 24 - 48 hours prior to sowing[3]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c[3]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in mid summer if possible, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring. Give the young plants some protection from cold for their first few winters outdoors.

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a good deep medium to stiff loam[1]. Requires a sheltered position in semi-shade and a lime-free soil[3]. Although cold hardy in Britain, this species really requires a warm continental climate if it is to prosper and it does not do well in the maritime climate of this country[5]. The catkins have an unpleasant hawthorn-like smell to attract midges for their pollination[7].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  6. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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