Castanopsis indica

Castanopsis indica is a tree in the family Fagaceae.

Description

A large evergreen tree. It grows 25-30 m high. The trunk is 40-100 cm across. Trees form branches low down. The bark is grey-brown and cracked. The leaf stalk is 5-10 mm long. The leaves are alternate and 7-18 cm long by 3.5-8 cm wide. They are oblong or sword shaped and with teeth along the edge. The base is heart shaped or rounded. The leaf tapers to the tip and can have a sharp tip. Leaves are thickly papery. Underneath there are soft hairs. The flowers do not have stalks and are yellow. They are covered with soft brown hairs. The flowering stalk can be 40 cm long. The cup is round and 3.5-4 cm across. The fruit is a nut. It is enclosed in a covering with thick spines. The nut is cone shaped and 1-1.4 cm across. It is densely hairy.

Edible Uses

The nuts of the tree are considered edible. The wood is locally used in construction and the bark can be used in tanning. In Nepal the leaves are used to wrap things.

Traditional Uses

The fruit or nut is eaten after cooking. It is roasted. The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in northern provinces in Vietnam. It occurs in primary and secondary forest. It occurs below 700-800 m altitude. It grows in sandy soil. In Nepal it grows between 1000-2500 m altitude. It grows in broad leafed evergreen forest below 1500 m in southern China. In XTBG Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants are grown by seed.

Propagation

Seed - easy to germinate if sown fresh. Self-sown seedlings can be transplanted.

Other Uses

The bark is a rich source of tannins and can be used as a dye, to weatherproof fibres etc. The branches and stems of many Castanopsis species are used as bed logs in mushroom cultivation. A very attractive wood, of a yellow-brown or pinkish-brown colour, with a lustrous surface and a hard figury grain. The wood is hard, resistent to termites and insects. It resembles a dull-coloured Mexican prima vera (Roseodendron donnell-smithii), for which timber it might be substituted without fear of detection. Of good quality, it is used for construction and making furniture. The wood is a good fuel and can be used to make charcoal.

Production

In India plants flower and fruit February to December.

Other Information

The nuts are sold in local markets.

Notes

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

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

An do, Aulay katus, Bank katus, Berkap, Ca oi an do, Che si a bo, Chhakku-khokrak, De gai, Dhalne katus, Dhalnae katoos, Dhalney katus, Dieng-sarag, Ginsa, Gon, Hinguri, Isera, Jheru, Kasi, Katoos, Katus, Katwas, Khe-shing, Kinsa, Ko ket, Ko lakai, Ko luay, Ko nam njao, Ko som, Ko tang, Kozujang, Matsawi, Phongrong, Se-hawr, Serang, Sirang, Thezhusi, Thingsa chi, Thit-e, Thit-e-gyin, Yin du zhui, Zi li

References (55)

• Aiguo, C. & Zhiling, D., 2001, Managing Agricultural Resources for Biodiversity Conservation. Case Study Yunnan, Southwest China. Environment Liaison Center International. p 40
• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 641
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 110
• Anderson, E. F., 1993, Plants and people of the Golden Triangle. Dioscorides Press. p 205
• Aryal, K. P. et al, 2009, Uncultivated Plants and Livehood Support - A case study from the Cheopang people of Nepal. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 7:409-422

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