Chinquapin, Ozark chinkapin

Castanea pumila

Physical Characteristics

Castanea pumila is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Florida, Missouri and Texas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - raw or cooked[2, 61, 105]. Sweet with a nice nutty flavour[46, 82, 183], it is very acceptable raw and has a superior flavour to sweet chestnuts (C. sativa)[142, 161, K]. When baked it becomes even sweeter and develops a floury texture, it makes an excellent potato or cereal substitute[K].The seed is quite small, about 2cm thich[270], which is about half the size of C. dentata[183]. It is sold in local markets in America[82]. The seed husks only contain one (rarely two) seed[235]. The seed contains 45% starch and 2.5% protein[213].

Medicinal Uses

Antiperiodic Astringent Tonic The leaves contain tannin and are antiperiodic, astringent and tonic[46 , 61 , 213 ]. The brittle leaves (?dried leaves) were heated and blown onto the patient to treat headaches[257 ]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as an external wash to treat fevers, chills and cold sweats[213 , 257 ].

Known Hazards

None known