FAGACEAE - - Beech Family

Castanea pumila (Linnaeus) P. Miller — Common Chinquapin

Common Chinquapin (Castanea pumila), a smaller cousin of the American Chestnut, is a shrub or small tree, sometimes forming thickets from the development of numerous stolons. The leaves are acute to obtuse on the tip, margin serrations small (sometimes teeth only), and hairy underneath; while those of C. dentata are usually acuminate on the tip, with more prominent serrations and glabrous beneath. The fruit of C. pumila is also different, the spine-covered husk of the fruit splits into 2 sections, enclosing 1 nut, circular in cross-section, while in C. dentata the husk splits into 4 sections, enclosing 2 to 5 nuts, which are flattened on at least one side.

Habitat:

In sandy or rich soil on hillsides and swamp borders. Xeric forests and woodlands, generally in fire-maintained habitats.

Partial Habitat information from:
Weakley, Alan S., Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States, Working Draft of 21 May 2015.

The native range of Castanea pumila (Common Chinquapin)

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].

The Georgia range of Castanea pumila (Common Chinquapin)

Zomlefer, W.B., J.R. Carter, & D.E. Giannasi. 2014 (and ongoing). The Atlas of Georgia Plants. University of Georgia Herbarium (Athens, Georgia) and Valdosta State University Herbarium (Valdosta, Georgia). Available at: http://www.georgiaherbaria.org/.