Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Castanea dentata
|
| Common Names: |
American Chestnut
|
| Key Name: |
American Chestnut
|
| Parts Used: |
Bark, leaves, nuts
|
| Sister Plants: |
Castanea sativa, Castanea mollissima, Quercus spp.
|
| Comments: |
Once dominant in North American forests; now rare due to blight; supports ecosystem
|
Taxonomy |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Fagales |
| Family |
Fagaceae |
Genus |
Castanea |
| Species |
dentata |
NCBI Tax ID |
134033
|
| Organism |
|
|
Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Large deciduous tree (up to 100 ft), grey-brown bark with deep fissures, serrated oblong Leaves, yellowish catkins, spiny burs with nuts
|
| Stem: |
Grey-brown with deep fissures, thick and rugged
|
| Leaves: |
Oblong, serrated, 5-8 inches, dark green turning yellow-brown in fall
|
| Flowers: |
Yellowish catkins, male and female, blooming June-July
|
| Fruit: |
Spiny burs, 2-3 inches, containing 1-3 glossy brown nuts
|
| Taste: |
Sweet (nuts), Astringent (bark)
|
| Odour: |
Earthy, nutty scent from flowers
|
| Root: |
Deep taproot with lateral spread; enhances soil structure
|
| Image: |
(image unavailable)
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|
Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Eastern North America (historically), now limited due to blight
|
| Cultivation: |
Prefers well-drained loam, full Sun; historically propagated by seed, now by grafting resistant strains
|
| Harvest: |
Bark: Spring from fallen branches; Nuts: Fall; Leaves: Summer
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Astringent, Expectorant, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory
|
| Medical Uses: |
Used for coughs, Bronchitis, Diarrhea, and as a general Tonic; nuts for nutrition and inflammation
|
| Constituents: |
Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="31" title="Tannins">Tannins, Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="83" title="Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="176" title="flavonoids (Flavonoids)">flavonoids (Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="176" title="flavonoids (Flavonoids)">flavonoids)">Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="176" title="flavonoids (Flavonoids)">flavonoids, Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="50" title="StarCh">StarCh, Class="enCy-Constituent-link" data-Cid="33" title="Vitamin C">Vitamin C
|
| Solvents: |
Alcohol, Water
|
| Dosage: |
Nut decoction: 1 tsp ground nuts in 1 cup water; Bark Tincture: 5-10 drops in water 2-3 times daily
|
| Administration: |
Internal: Decoction or Tincture; External: Poultice for inflammation
|
| Formulas: |
Formula #9 Colds
|
| Contra Indications: |
May cause Allergic reactions; avoid in chestnut blight areas; consult healthcare provider
|
| Preparation: |
Decoction: Simmer 1 tsp bark in 1 cup water for 10 minutes; Tincture: Steep 1 part bark in 5 parts alcohol for 2-4 weeks
|
| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
|
| Veterinary: |
Used for respiratory issues or wound treatment in livestock
|
| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
|
Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
|
| Pollinator: |
0
|
| Pollen: |
No
|
| Pollen Notes: |
Wind-dispersed, minimal bee interest
|
| Nectar: |
No
|
| Nectar Notes: |
Minimal nectar, not a primary bee attractant
|
Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Wood for furniture, tannin source, wildlife food
|
| Culinary Uses: |
Nuts roasted or boiled; young Leaves in teas (historically)
|
| History: |
Dominant species until blight (1900s); used by Native Americans for food and medicine
|
| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; USDA Forest Service
|
| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Castanea+dentata
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| Share: |
Private
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