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giant chinquapin
Scientific Name: Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. chrysophylla
Family: Fagaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Giant Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla)
The Giant Chinquapin, scientifically known as Chrysolepis chrysophylla, is a fascinating evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the beech family. It is also commonly referred to as Golden Chinquapin, Giant Evergreen Chinquapin, or simply Chinquapin or Chinkapin.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant produces a "f-valved spiny burr" containing nuts.
Considerations for Children
- The plant produces a "f-valved spiny burr" containing nuts.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Chrysolepis chrysophylla (Douglas ex Hook.) Hjelmqvist var. chrysophylla
- Family: Fagaceae (Beech family)
- Synonyms: Castanea chrysophylla, Castanopsis chrysophylla
- Common Names: Golden Chinquapin, Giant Chinquapin, Golden-Leafed Chinquapin, Golden-Leafed Chestnut, Wild Chestnut.
- The Latin term "chrysolepis" translates to "golden scale."
Distribution and Habitat
- The Giant Chinquapin is native to the Pacific Coast region of North America.
- It grows from central California to west-central Washington.
- It is also found in Central and Northern California, primarily in the High Sierra Nevada.
Morphological Characteristics
- The plant is an evergreen tree or shrub.
- Leaves are entire, thick, and leathery. They are dark green and usually glabrous (smooth) above, and yellow-green to golden and densely scurfy-woolly below.
Quirky Facts
- The burr-covered fruit contains two triangular nuts that are popular with chipmunks and squirrels.
- The tree is sometimes called golden-leafed chinquapin or golden-leafed chestnut because of the minute golden scales on the underside of its leaves.