Castanea ozarkensis

Ashe

Ozark chinkapin, Ozark chestnut

Fagaceae Edible: Seeds, Nuts 365 iNaturalist observations

Has toxic lookalike — see comparison below

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Summary

Castanea ozarkensis, also known as the Ozark chinkapin (also spelled chinquapin), is a species of tree that is native to the United States. It is in the Castanea genus that includes chestnuts and types of chestnut known as chinkapins.

Description

A medium sized tree. It grows 6-15 m high. The trunk is 10-50 cm across. The bark is grey-brown and smooth but cracks into flat plates. The leaves are 13-20 cm long by 4-7.5 cm wide. The are narrowly long or sword shaped with many straight parallel side veins. These have teeth at the ends. The leaf stalks are short and nearly hairless. The leaves are yellow-green above and paler underneath. There can be fine white hairs underneath. The flowers are very small and white. There are many male flowers in catkins 5-20 cm long. There are a few female flowers 5 mm long at the base of smaller catkins. The fruit are 2.5-3 cm across. The burs are very spiny. They split open. They contain one round nut which is dark brown and edible.

Edible Uses

The seeds are small but tasty, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw seeds have a noticeable astringency, particularly if the fleshy inner skin beneath the outer shell is not removed. Baking reduces the astringency considerably and produces a sweeter, floury texture. At that point they make an excellent food and can be used as a staple in the same manner as potatoes or cereals.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows between 150-850 m altitude in central states in the southern USA.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Cultivation

Prefers a good well-drained slightly acid loam but it also succeeds in dry soils. Once established, it is very drought tolerant. Very tolerant of highly acid, infertile dry sands. Averse to calcareous soils but succeeds on harder limestones. Although it is winter-hardy in most parts of Britain, this species only really thrives in areas with hot summers. An excellent soil-enriching understorey in pine forests. Flowers are produced on wood of the current year's growth. Plants are fairly self-sterile. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

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.

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

Ozark chinkapin

Castanea ozarkensis

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

Ozark chinkapin: Nuts with pointed tassel, very spiny bur casing, simple toothed leaves.

References (6)

Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 50:360. 1923
Krochmal, A. & Krochmal, C., 1982, Uncultivated Nuts of The United States. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. p 13
Little, E.L., 1980, National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. Alfred A. Knopf. p 378
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Tozer, F., 2007, The Uses of Wild Plants. Green Man Publishing. p 59

Show all 6 references