Castanea henryi

(Skan) Rehder. & E.H. Wilson

Zhui li, Conic chestnut

Fagaceae Edible: Seeds, Nuts 41 iNaturalist observations

Has toxic lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Castanea henryi, Henry chestnut, Henry's chestnut, or Chinese chinquapin (a name it shares with Castanea seguinii), pearl chestnut, and in Chinese 錐栗 (zhui li), is a species of chestnut native to south-central and southeast China. A tree reaching 30 m, it is a source of good timber, but has smaller nuts than its size might suggest. Like its close relative Castanea mollissima (Chinese chestnut) it is widely cultivated in China, and quite a few varieties have been developed in recent times.

Description

A tree. It grows to 30 m tall. The leaf stalk is 1-2.5 cm long. The leaf blade in oblong and 10-23 cm long. Underneath it is covered with yellowish brown scale like glands. There are fine hairs along the veins. The leaf base is rounded. There are teeth 2-4 mm long around the edge. The leaf tapers to a point. The male flower is 5-16 cm long. There is normally one but sometimes 3 female flowers in a group. The cup is on a short spike. The cup is 2.5-3.5 cm across. This is covered with slightly hairy spine like bracts. There is one nut per cup. It is round and 1.5-2 cm across.

Edible Uses

The seeds are small but said to be of excellent eating quality. Eaten raw, they have a noticeable astringency, particularly if the fleshy inner skin beneath the outer shell is not removed. Cooking — and especially baking — transforms them considerably, bringing out sweetness and a floury texture. At that point they make an excellent food and can be used as a staple in much the same way as potatoes or cereals.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in mixed forest on mountain slopes between 100-1800 m altitude in China.

Where It Grows

Asia, China,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed. Seedlings need transplanting very early.

Propagation

Sow seed as soon as it is ripe, either in a cold frame or in an outdoor seedbed, and protect it from mice and squirrels. The seed has short viability and must not be allowed to dry out. It can be stored moist in a cool place such as the salad compartment of a fridge for a few months, but should be checked regularly for signs of germination. Germination typically occurs in late winter or early spring. Seedlings raised outdoors can be left in situ for one to two years before being moved to permanent positions. Plants grown in pots can go out to permanent positions in summer or autumn, with some cold protection in their first winter.

Other Uses

The bark, leaves, wood, and seed husks all contain tannin. The wood is valued locally for construction.

Other Information

The small nuts have good flavour.

Notes

All Castanea bear edible nuts. There are about 12 Castanea species.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

VERY TOXIC

Horse Chestnut (Conker)

Aesculus hippocastanum

Solipsist

Safe

Zhui li

Castanea henryi

Horse Chestnut (Conker): Round smooth nuts (conkers), bumpy green husk (not very spiny), palmate compound leaves (like a hand).

Zhui li: Nuts with pointed tassel, very spiny bur casing, simple toothed leaves.

Synonyms

Castanopsis henryi SkanCastanea sativa Miller var. acuminatissima SeemenCastanea vilmoriniana Dode

References (8)

Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 635
Huang Chengjiu, Zhang Yongtian, Bartholomew, B., Fagaceae, Flora of China.
Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 340
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
C. S. Sargent, Pl. wilson. 3:196. 1916

Show all 8 references