Sweet Chestnut

Revision as of 16:42, 8 October 2008 by 213.203.197.115 (talk)

summer movie program kid jennifer aniston in a bikini ambien online overnight alcohol 120 full version crack virgin pop her cherry vigorelle ino naruto pause flash movie hunting supplies soccer instructional videos movie times denver co more juiced video seduction stories turning point drug rehab kimron shapiro free downloadable ringtones for cingular inspiration for artist jenifer strait maryland welfare benefits link pirate radio suggest http hip hop ringtone professional resume street fighter sex poop movies aquamagazine movie wavs anchorman sitemap cassie scerbo cellulites infection sylver mp3 synergy network management natalia video villaveces alcohol drug rehabs online orcer phentermine alcoholism causes drug addiction cheap adipex no prior rx spirax sarco top public exposing remote control speed boat video postmodernism holistic physicians aladdin xxx auckland guide sex address book recovery crack index antique phone ringtones kevin costner movie the war exercise balls nude teen movies spring break girls free videos raw video formats personal label makers kinsley report movie myspace music video codes artist dino audioslave out of exile www movie passes philadelphia walt whitman poems las vegas auto insurance numerology reading american pioneer video stattransfer 8 crack website swades movie stills arbor homes valtrex price comparison sputnik video franklin institute karate fight video clips in licence marriage ny moms in hot tubs swimsuit contest video mohonk http sound files download free auto fx photographic edges crack american girl and girls inc auto insurance olive oil and constipation alizee live video stormy daniels etching laser picture jacuzzi parts free canon in d ringtone www jenna haze videos free lagu nasyid quarry market movie robbery crimes babyphat free internet games and luxor ashevillelist.com bontril.html link medicine prescription home museo de antropologia e historia employee green industry manual domain male voice talent

Sweet Chestnut
Sweet Chestnut fruit
Sweet Chestnut fruit
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Castanea
Species: C. sativa

Binomial name
Castanea sativa
Mill.

The Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa, family Fagaceae), also known as the Spanish Chestnut, is a species of chestnut native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. It 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. 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 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. It is sensitive to late spring and early autumn frosts, and is intolerant of lime. Under forest conditions it will tolerate moderate shade well.

Sweet Chestnut on forest floor

Uses

Sweet Chestnut is widely cultivated for its edible nuts. As early as Roman times it was introduced into more northerly regions, and later it was cultivated in monastery gardens by monks. Today, centuries-old specimens may be found in Great Britain and the whole of central and western Europe. The nuts are used by confectioners and are also eaten roasted. They are popular in France, Portugal, Italy and particularly in Corsica. They may be roasted whole or ground to make flour. The Corsican variety of polenta (called pulenta) is made with sweet chestnut flour. A local variety of Corsican beer also uses chesnuts.

The durable wood is used to make furniture, barrels (sometimes used to age balsamic vinegar), fencing and roof beams in houses of the Alpujarra, Spain; due to its tendency to split and warp badly, it is not used in large pieces. The bark also provides tannin.

Gallery

References

Template:Commons