Species Overview
Leaves
Top of Leaves
Top row: Allegheny chinkapin leaf;
Bottom row (from left): American, Chinese, European, and Japanese chestnut leaves.
Underside of Leaves
Top row: Allegheny chinkapin leaf;
Bottom row (from left): American, Chinese, European, and Japanese chestnut leaves.
Burs
Example of Chestnut Burs
From Top, Clockwise: Allegheny chinkapin, European chestnut, Japanese chestnut, Chinese chestnut, and American chestnut burs
Note that the Chinese bur looks small, even though the nuts inside are large. This is because of their short, stubby spines.
Chestnut Bur Anatomy
Chestnut burs have two sutures and open into four valves (sections). There are up to three nuts per bur
Chinkapin Bur Anatomy
Chinkapin burs have one suture and open into two valves (sections). There is only a single nut per bur
Stems & Buds
Photo of Stems
From Left: American,Chinese, European, and Japanese twigs
American twig: pointed bud at 45 degree angle from stem; smooth, reddish stem
Chinese twig: rounded, hairy buds, large stipules (leaf-like coverings over the buds), large lenticels (white “bumps” on stem)
European twig: thick stem, large buds
Japanese twig: pale, pinkish stem
Nuts
Side View of Chestnuts
From Left: American, Chinese, Japanese, and European chestnuts.
Top View of Chestnuts
Top: Chinkapin nuts: note the pointed end
Middle: American chestnuts: note the hairy surface
Bottom: Chinese chestnuts: note the rounded end
Chestnuts in Bur
Up to three nuts per bur.
Chinkapins in Bur
Only one nut per bur.