American chestnut
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)
The American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) is a large, monoecious deciduous tree of the beech family (Fagaceae). It is native to eastern North America, where it was once one of the dominant trees in the forest ecosystem.
Pronunciation
- American English: /əˈmɛrɪkən ˈtʃɛstnʌt/
Etymology
The term "chestnut" is derived from the Old English "chesten nut", which is a translation of the Latin "castanea". The specific epithet "dentata" refers to the toothed edges of the leaves.
Description
The American Chestnut is a fast-growing tree that can reach up to 100 feet in height and 10 feet in diameter. It has a straight trunk and a wide-spreading crown. The bark is dark brown and deeply furrowed. The leaves are simple, alternate, and oblong-lanceolate with sharply toothed edges. The flowers are monoecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The fruit is a spiny burs containing 2-3 shiny, brown nuts.
Related Terms
- Chestnut blight: A fungal disease caused by Cryphonectria parasitica that has devastated the American Chestnut population.
- Tannin: A type of polyphenolic compound found in high concentrations in the bark of the American Chestnut.
- Mast: The fruit of forest trees like the American Chestnut, which serves as a food source for wildlife.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on American chestnut
- Wikipedia's article - American chestnut
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