THE CHESTNUTS 



KEY TO SPECIES 



A. Leaves deciduous; fruit annual. 



1. Genus CASTANEA, Adans. 



B. Trees large; leaves smooth and green on both 

 sides; nuts 2 to 3 in 4-valved, spiny bur. 



(C. dentata) CHESTNUT 



BB. Trees shrubby, leaves pale and pubescent beneath; 

 nuts solitary in 2-valved bur. 



(C. pumild) CHINQUAPIN 



There are five known species of the true chestnuts, -three of 

 which are American. One of these is a shrub, C. alnifolia, 

 Nutt. The European species (C. saliva, Mill.) is the well- 

 known sweet chestnut of Italy and Spain, as important in the 

 diet of the peasantry as are potatoes in Ireland. This species 

 extends its range to eastern Asia. The Japanese C. crenata, 



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