Castanea ozarkensis
| Castanea ozarkensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 59' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Castanea ozarkensis (common name: ozark chinkapin)
Propagation: Seed - where possible sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in a seed bed outdoors[1]. The seed must be protected from mice and squirrels. The seed has a short viability and must not be allowed to become dry. It can be stored in a cool place, such as the salad compartment of a fridge, for a few months if it is kept moist, but check regularly for signs of germination. The seed should germinate in late winter or early spring. If sown in an outdoor seedbed, the plants can be left in situ for 1 - 2 years before planting them out in their permanent positions. If grown in pots, the plants can be put out into their permanent positions in the summer or autumn, making sure to give them some protection from the cold in their first winter[K].
Cultivation: Prefers a good well-drained slightly acid loam but it also succeeds in dry soils[2][3][4]. Once established, it is very drought tolerant[2][3][4]. Very tolerant of highly acid, infertile dry sands[4]. Averse to calcareous soils but succeeds on harder limestones[3][4].
Although it is winter-hardy in most parts of Britain, this species only really thrives in areas with hot summers[4].
An excellent soil-enriching understorey in pine forests[4].
Flowers are produced on wood of the current year's growth[5]. Plants are fairly self-sterile[4]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Range: Central N. America - Mississippi to Oklahoma.
Habitat: Woods and rocky slopes[6]. Deciduous forest at elevations of 150-600 metres[7].
Edibility: Seed - raw or cooked[8][9][10]. Small but tasty[11]. Eaten raw, there is a distinct astringency, especially if the fleshy inner skin beneath the outer shell of the seed is not removed[K]. When cooked, however, and especially when baked, the seed becomes much sweeter and has a floury texture[K]. It then makes an excellent food and can be used as a staple food in much the same way as potatoes or cereals[K].
Usage: The bark, leaves, wood and seed husks all contain tannin.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Links
References
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Flora of North America.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Rosengarten Jr., Frederic. The Book of Edible Nuts. Dover, 1984.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.