Itajii chinkapin (Castanopsis sieboldii) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Itajii chinkapin is an evergreen tree native to Japan and Korea. Its pointed mature nuts are generally larger and longer than those of Japanese chinquapin (Castanopsis cuspidata), but young nuts can be hard to tell apart.

Appearance

Growth form: An evergreen tree with thick, glossy leaves and deeply furrowed bark on older trunks.
Leaves: The leaves are thicker than those of Japanese chinquapin (Castanopsis cuspidata) and can have a coppery brown underside.
Fruit: The spiny cup holds one pointed nut, usually longer than the nut of Japanese chinquapin.

Look-alikes

Japanese chinquapinCastanopsis cuspidata

Itajii chinkapin usually has larger, longer mature nuts and stouter fruiting twigs. Young nuts can be misleading, so compare several mature fruits.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: East Asian evergreen forests
Botanical collections
Range: Wild populations grow in Korea and Japan, including the Ryukyu Islands.

Name and classification

About the name: It was once called Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii, when treated as a variety of Japanese chinquapin. Today it is generally treated as a separate species. It is also called itajii.
Varieties and forms: A yellow-edged garden selection called 'Angyo Yellow' is grown in U.S. collections.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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