Fagaceae FAMILY

Castanea pumila

Edibility

4/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Castanea pumila is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It can vary in size from a shrub just 100cm tall to a tree that can be 15 metres tall, exceptionally to 20 metres. The plant often spreads by means of rhizomes to form thickets[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. A very popular wild food in N. America, where the plant is commonly harvested from the wild for its edible seeds - these are sometimes sold in local markets. The plant also has a range of medicinal uses and is a source of wood. It is sometimes cultivated for its seeds and coppiced for its wood in southern N. America; it is also grown as an ornamental and shade tree.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeCentral and eastern N. America - southern Missouri to new Jersey and Massachussetts, south to eastern Texas and central Florida

HabitatDry sandy ridges and rich hillsides where it forms thickets, also in woods and on the borders of swamps[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. , 82 Title Manual of the Trees of N. America. Publication Author Sargent. C. S. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher Dover Publications Inc. New York. Year 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X Description Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet. ]. Forest, open woods, forest understorey, dry sandy and wet sandy barrens; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].