Castanea dentata
Record ID:68Naming |
|
|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Castanea dentata |
| Common Names: | American Chestnut |
| Key Name: | American Chestnut |
| Parts Used: | Bark, leaves, nuts |
| Sister Plants: | Castanea sativa, Castanea mollissima, Quercus spp. |
| Comments: | Once dominant in North American forests; now rare due to blight; supports ecosystem |
Characteristics |
|
| Identifying Character: | Large deciduous tree (up to 100 ft), grey-brown bark with deep fissures, serrated oblong leaves, yellowish catkins, spiny burs with nuts |
| Stem: | Grey-brown with deep fissures, thick and rugged |
| Leaves: | Oblong, serrated, 5-8 inches, dark green turning yellow-brown in fall |
| Flowers: | Yellowish catkins, male and female, blooming June-July |
| Fruit: | Spiny burs, 2-3 inches, containing 1-3 glossy brown nuts |
| Taste: | Sweet (nuts), astringent (bark) |
| Odour: | Earthy, nutty scent from flowers |
| Root: | Deep taproot with lateral spread; enhances soil structure |
| Image: |
Image URL: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.mCV_PBQTABWqsspuQrHaHAHaHa%26r%3D0%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=36c2a760fdf700902f3d13d92e81d90c24bd1773f5ae1cf625b6b2856e753c86&ipo=images |
Distribution |
|
| Distribution: | Eastern North America (historically), now limited due to blight |
| Cultivation: | Prefers well-drained loam, full sun; historically propagated by seed, now by grafting resistant strains |
| Harvest: | Bark: Spring from fallen branches; Nuts: Fall; Leaves: Summer |
Medical |
|
| Therapeutic Action: | Astringent, expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory |
| Medical Uses: | Used for coughs, bronchitis, diarrhea, and as a general tonic; nuts for nutrition and inflammation |
| Constituents: | Tannins, flavonoids, starch, vitamin C |
| Solvents: | Alcohol, Water |
| Dosage: | Nut decoction: 1 tsp ground nuts in 1 cup water; Bark tincture: 5-10 drops in water 2-3 times daily |
| Administration: | Internal: Decoction or tincture; External: Poultice for inflammation |
| Formulas: | Formula #9 Colds |
| Contra Indications: | May cause allergic reactions; avoid in chestnut blight areas; consult healthcare provider |
| Preparation: | Decoction: Simmer 1 tsp bark in 1 cup water for 10 minutes; Tincture: Steep 1 part bark in 5 parts alcohol for 2-4 weeks |
| Chinese: | No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Veterinary: | Used for respiratory issues or wound treatment in livestock |
| Homeopathic: | No known homeopathic use documented |
Pollination and Pollinators |
|
| Apis: | No |
| Pollinator: | 0 |
| Pollen: | No |
| Pollen Notes: | Wind-dispersed, minimal bee interest |
| Nectar: | No |
| Nectar Notes: | Minimal nectar, not a primary bee attractant |
Other |
|
| Non-Medical Uses: | Wood for furniture, tannin source, wildlife food |
| Culinary Uses: | Nuts roasted or boiled; young leaves in teas (historically) |
| History: | Dominant species until blight (1900s); used by Native Americans for food and medicine |
| Reference: | Plants For A Future; USDA Forest Service |
| URL: | https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Castanea+dentata |
| Share: | Private |