Castanea sativa

Castanea sativa, commonly known as the sweet chestnut, Spanish chestnut or just chestnut, is a species of tree in the family Fagaceae, native to Southern Europe and Asia Minor. It is a deciduous tree growing to 20-35 m (66-115 ft) tall, with a trunk often up to 2 m (7 ft) in diameter.

Description

The leaves of Castanea sativa are 10–30 cm long and 4–10 cm broad, with a serrated margin. The flowers are catkins, produced in mid-summer; they are unisexual, with the male and female flowers on separate catkins, but on the same tree. The fruit is a spiny cupule 5–11 cm diameter, containing one to seven nuts.

Cultivation and uses

Castanea sativa is widely cultivated for its edible seeds (also called nuts) and for its wood. The seeds are rich in starch and sweet in taste, they can be roasted or boiled and used in a variety of dishes. The wood is strong and durable and is used for furniture and building.

Ecology

Castanea sativa is a light-demanding species, growing best in full sun. It is relatively tolerant of poor soils and can survive in a wide range of soil types. It is susceptible to a number of diseases, including chestnut blight and ink disease.

See also

• Chestnut blight
• Ink disease
• Fagaceae

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