Chestnut
Family Fagaceae
Castanea sativa, the chestnut (C. sativa 1), is a large monoecious tree, up to 35 m high, with large oblong and coarsely dentate leaves. The male and female flowers are borne in separate inflorescences. The male flowers in catkins, 10-20 cm long with conspicuous yellow anthers; the female ones borne in threes, each with 7-9 red styles. The glossy brown nuts (C. sativa 3) are enclosed in a green husk covered with long spines (C. sativa 2).
Distribution
The chestnut is indigenous to the Mediterranean region and was taken northwards by the ancient Romans.
Use
In southern Europe the chestnut has been grown for many centuries, the nuts being eaten whole, either boiled or roasted, or ground into flour, which is used in porridges, soups and stews. On Corsica chestnut flour is used for making bread. Mashed chestnuts are canned and eaten with venison. In other regions chestnuts are fed to livestock.