Chinese Chestnut
Castanea mollissima
Richard Webb, Self-employed horticulurist, Bugwood.org
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Castanea
- Species:
- Castanea mollissima
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Confused Morrisonia (Morrisonia confusa), Phyllonorycter kearfottella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), spotted oakworm moth (Anisota stigma)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers soils with good organic content