Chinese chestnut is a deciduous tree which is cultivated as an ornamental tree and edible nuts. The leaves are about 6 inches (15 cm) long with coarsely toothed margins. Female flowers produce from 1 to 5 edible nuts which is enclosed in a burr release 1 inch (2.5 cm) nuts at maturity. Chestnut trees prefer acidic and loamy well-drained soils. They are tolerable to sandy, dry soils and drought.
| Name | Chinese Chestnut |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Castanea mollissima |
| Native | Native to China, Korea and Taiwan. It got introduced in 1853 and 1903. |
| Common/English Name | Chinese chestnut, Chinese hairy chestnut, châtaignier de Chine, chinesische Kastanie, shinaguri , Rōmaji castaño chino |
| Name in Other Languages | French: châtaignier de Chine; Chinese: kuili; Germany: Chinesische Kastanie; Italy: castagno cinese; Valencian, Catalan: Castanyer xinès; Hungarian: Kínai gesztenye; Japanese: Shina Guri; Russian: Kashtan Miagchaishii; Spanish: Castaño Chino; Turkish: Çin kestanesi; Vietnamese: Dẻ Trùng Khánh |
| Plant Growth Habit | Coarse textured, rounded, low branched |
| Growing Climate | Hot, dry |
| Soil | Well-drained |
| Plant Size | 40-60′ |
| Leaf | Alternate, simple, pinnate, ovate-lanceolate, dark green, Length: 10-30 cm; Width: 4-10 cm |
| Flowering Season | June |
| Flower | Fragrant, showy, pale yellow or cream, Length: 4-20 cm |
| Fruit shape & size | Spiny cupule, 4-8 cm diameter |
| Fruit color | Shiny brown |
| Flavor/aroma | Mild, subtle |
| Fruit Taste | Sweet |
| Major Nutritions (Raw) | Manganese, Mn 0.454 mg (19.74%) Copper, Cu 0.103 mg (11.44%) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 10.2 mg (11.33%) Carbohydrate 13.91 g (10.70%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.116 mg (8.92%) Magnesium, Mg 24 mg (5.71%) Iron, Fe 0.4 mg (5.00%) Vitamin B9 (Folate) 19 µg (4.75%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.051 mg (3.92%) Phosphorus, P 27 mg (3.86%) |
| Health Benefits |
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| Calories in 1 oz (28.35 g) Raw | 64 Kcal. |