Castanopsis cuspidata

Castanopsis cuspidata (Japanese chinquapin; Japanese tsuburajii, 円椎) is a species of Castanopsis native to southern Japan and southern Korea. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 20–30 m tall, related to beech and oak. The leaves are 5–9 cm long and 2–4 cm broad, leathery in texture, with an entire or irregularly toothed margin. It grows in woods and ravines, especially near the sea. The cotyledon of the nut is eaten boiled or roasted. Its dead wood serves as host to many mushroom types, most notably the shiitake, whose Japanese name (椎茸) is composed of shii (椎, the Castanopsis tree), and take (茸; "mushroom").

Description

A tree. It grows 24 m high. The leaves are narrow and pointed. The edges are smooth or slightly toothed. The young leaves are a coppery colour. They are nearly white underneath. The flowers are in yellow-green catkins. They are fragrant. The nuts are edible.

Edible Uses

The cotyledon of the nut is eaten boiled or roasted.

Traditional Uses

The nuts are eaten boiled or roasted.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Britain, China*, Europe, Japan, Korea,

Propagation

Seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed has short viability and should not be allowed to dry out. It can be stored for a few months if kept cool and moist — a plastic bag in the salad compartment of a fridge works well. Stored seed should be soaked in warm water for 24–48 hours before sowing. Germination usually takes place within 1–3 months at 15°C. Prick out seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out in mid summer if possible, otherwise overwinter in a cold frame and plant out in late spring. Give young plants some protection from cold for their first few winters outdoors.

Other Uses

None known. The plant is noted for its scented qualities.

Notes

There are about 120 Castanopsis species. Many have edible nuts.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Tsubura-jii

References (9)

• Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 47:682. 1912
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 339
• Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 189
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 115
• Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 123

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