Bush Chinkapin (Castanea alnifolia)

Family: Fagaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Castanea alnifolia is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet and larger than C. — Seed - raw or cooked.; Of excellent quality.; The seed is small but it is sweet and larger than C.; pumila though produced less abundantly.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry sandy soils in open woodlands or in thickets, also in rich upland deciduous woodlands. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)