Description
Castanea sativa is a species of the genus Castanea. The Latin sativa means "cultivated by humans". The tree has been cultivated for its edible nuts since ancient times. It is called chestnut, and sometimes "Spanish chestnut" or "Portuguese chestnut". It is not related to the Horse-chestnut tree.
C. sativa is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree attaining a height of 20–35 m with a trunk often 2 m in diameter. The oblong-lanceolate, boldly toothed leaves are 16–28 cm long and 5–9 cm broad.
The flowers of both sexes are borne in 10–20 cm long, upright catkins, the male flowers in the upper part and female flowers in the lower part. In the northern hemisphere, they appear in late June to July, and by autumn, the female flowers develop into spiny cupules containing 3-7 brownish nuts that are shed during October. The female flowers eventually form a spiky sheath that deters predators from the seed. Some cultivars ('Marron de Lyon', 'Paragon' and some hybrids) produce only one large nut per cupule, rather than the usual two to four nuts of edible, though smaller, size. The bark often has a net-shaped (retiform) pattern with deep furrows or fissures running spirally in both directions up the trunk.
The tree requires a mild climate and adequate moisture for good growth and a good nut harvest. Its year-growth (but not the rest of the tree) is sensitive to late spring and early autumn frosts, and is intolerant of lime. Under forest conditions, it will tolerate moderate shade well.
- See also List of Lepidoptera that feed on chestnut trees
The leaves provide food for some animals, including Lepidoptera such as the case-bearer moth Coleophora anatipennella.
The species originated in southern Europe, the Balkans and maybe regions nearby. The use as food and an ornamental tree caused it to be introduced throughout western Europe; localised populations and cultivation also occur on other continents.
Read more about this topic: Castanea Sativa
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