Japanese chinquapin
Castanopsis cuspidata

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 24 m high. The leaves are narrow and pointed. The edges are smooth or slightly toothed. The young leaves are a coppery colour. They are nearly white underneath. The flowers are in yellow-green catkins. They are fragrant. The nuts are edible.

There are about 120 Castanopsis species. Many have edible nuts.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China (country/location of origin), Europe, Japan, Korea

How it is used for food

The nuts are eaten boiled or roasted.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Tsubura-jii

Synonyms

Castanea fauriei H. Lev. & Vaniot; Lithocarpus cuspidatus (Thunb.) Nakai; Pasania cuspidata (Thunb.) Oerst.; Quercus cuspidata Thunb.; Shiia cuspidata (Thunb.) Makino; Synaedrys cuspidata (Thunb.) Koidz.; and others