Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Castanea dentata
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| Common Names: |
American Chestnut
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| Key Name: |
American Chestnut
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| Parts Used: |
Bark, leaves, nuts
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| Sister Plants: |
Castanea sativa, Castanea mollissima, Quercus spp.
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| Comments: |
Once dominant in North American forests; now rare due to blight; supports ecosystem
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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
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| Stem: |
Grey-brown with deep fissures, thick and rugged
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| Leaves: |
Oblong, serrated, 5-8 inches, dark green turning yellow-brown in fall
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| Flowers: |
Yellowish catkins, male and female, blooming June-July
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| Fruit: |
Spiny burs, 2-3 inches, containing 1-3 glossy brown nuts
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| Taste: |
Sweet (nuts), astringent (bark)
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| Odour: |
Earthy, nutty scent from flowers
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| Root: |
Deep taproot with lateral spread; enhances soil structure
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| Image URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Eastern North America (historically), now limited due to blight
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| Cultivation: |
Prefers well-drained loam, full sun; historically propagated by seed, now by grafting resistant strains
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| Harvest: |
Bark: Spring from fallen branches; Nuts: Fall; Leaves: Summer
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Astringent, expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory
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| Medical Uses: |
Used for coughs, bronchitis, diarrhea, and as a general tonic; nuts for nutrition and inflammation
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| Constituents: |
Tannins, flavonoids, starch, vitamin C
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| Solvents: |
Alcohol, Water
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| Dosage: |
Nut decoction: 1 tsp ground nuts in 1 cup water; Bark tincture: 5-10 drops in water 2-3 times daily
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| Administration: |
Internal: Decoction or tincture; External: Poultice for inflammation
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| Formulas: |
Formula #9 Colds
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| Contra Indications: |
May cause allergic reactions; avoid in chestnut blight areas; consult healthcare provider
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| 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
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| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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| Veterinary: |
Used for respiratory issues or wound treatment in livestock
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| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
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| Pollinator: |
0
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| Pollen: |
No
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| Pollen Notes: |
Wind-dispersed, minimal bee interest
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| Nectar: |
No
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| Nectar Notes: |
Minimal nectar, not a primary bee attractant
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Wood for furniture, tannin source, wildlife food
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| Culinary Uses: |
Nuts roasted or boiled; young leaves in teas (historically)
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| History: |
Dominant species until blight (1900s); used by Native Americans for food and medicine
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| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; USDA Forest Service
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| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Castanea+dentata
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| Share: |
Private
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