Castanopsis delavayi
Franchet
Delavay's castanopsis, Yunnan conic chestnut
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(c) Lukasz Madrzynski 孟巨石, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Lukasz Madrzynski 孟巨石
Summary
Evergreen tree reaching 15 m tall with year-round foliage. Flowers appear April to May, with seeds maturing October to November. Monoecious with wind and midge pollination. Thrives in medium loamy or heavy clay soils with mildly acid to neutral pH. Tolerates semi-shade in light woodland settings and prefers consistently moist conditions. Hardy to UK zone 8.
Description
A tree. It grows about 20 m tall. The branches are smooth. The leaf stalk is about 07.-1.5 cm long. The leaf blade is oval or oblong and 5-13 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. The base is rounded. The edges have teeth and can be wavy. There are 6-9 side veins on each side of the main vein. The female flowering stalk is 10-15 cm long. The cup is oval to round. It is 1.5-2 cm across. It splits into 2 or 3 segments. There are yellowish-brown waxy scale like processes on the outside. The nut is oval. It is 1.3-1.4 cm across.
Edible Uses
The seed, up to 14mm in diameter, is edible and most likely requires cooking, though no further preparation details are recorded.
Traditional Uses
The seeds are eaten raw.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in mixed and broad leafed evergreen forest between 1500-2800 m altitude in southern China.
Where It Grows
Asia, China*,
Cultivation
Prefers a good deep medium to stiff loam. Requires a sheltered position in semi-shade and a lime-free soil. Although cold hardy at least in the milder areas of Britain, this species really requires a warm continental climate if it is to prosper and it does not do well in the maritime climate of this country. The seed takes two growing seasons from fertilization to maturity. The catkins have an unpleasant hawthorn-like smell to attract midges for their pollination.
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
Gao shan zhui
References (5)
- Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 637
- Huang Chengjiu, Zhang Yongtian, Bartholomew, B., Fagaceae, Flora of China.
- Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 342
- J. Bot. (Morot) 13:194. 1899
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
