Difference between revisions of "Chrysolepis"

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{{About|a genus of plant|the prehistoric fish|Chrysolepis (fish)}}
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{{Italic title}}
 
{{taxobox
 
{{taxobox
 
|name = ''Chrysolepis''
 
|name = ''Chrysolepis''
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==References==
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'''''Chrysolepis''''' is a small genus in the beech family [[Fagaceae]], [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] to the western United States. Its two species have the common name '''chinquapin'''. The genus occurs from western [[Washington (state)|Washington]] south to the [[Transverse Ranges]] in Southern [[California]], and east into [[Nevada]].
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<references/>
 
  
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{{Ack-Wikipedia}}
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==Description==
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''Chrysolepis'' are [[evergreen]] [[tree]]s and [[shrub]]s with simple, entire (untoothed) [[leaf|leaves]] with a dense layer of golden scales on the underside (hence the genus name, from Greek ''chryso-'', yellow, and ''lepis'', scale) and a thinner layer on the upper side; the leaves persist for 3–4 years before falling.
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The [[fruit]] is a densely spiny [[calybium and cupule|cupule]] containing usually three sweet, edible [[nut (fruit)|nuts]], eaten by the [[Indigenous peoples of California|indigenous peoples]]. The fruit also provides food for birds and wildlife.
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''Chrysolepis'' is related to the subtropical southeast [[Asia]]n genus ''[[Castanopsis]]'' (in which it was formerly included), but differs in the nuts being triangular and fully enclosed in a sectioned cupule, and in having bisexual [[catkin]]s. ''Chrysolepis'' also differs from another allied genus [[chestnut|''Castanea'']] (chestnuts), in nuts that take 14–16 months to mature (3–5 months in ''Castanea''), evergreen leaves and the shoots having a terminal bud.
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[[Image:Chrysolepis chrysophylla.jpg|left|thumb|200px|''Chrysolepis chrysophylla'' foliage, in the [[Santa Cruz Mountains]], [[Northern California]].<br>''Note undersides of foliage are a bright yellow.'']]
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===Species===
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There are two [[species]] of  ''Chrysolepis'' — ''Chrysolepis chrysophylla'' and ''Chrysolepis sempervirens'' — which like many species in the related genera of ''[[Castanopsis]]'' and ''[[Castanea (genus)|Castanea]]'' are called '''chinquapin''', also spelled "chinkapin".
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*'''''Chrysolepis chrysophylla''''', the '''golden chinquapin''' or '''giant chinquapin''':<br>A tree reaching {{convert|20|–|40|m|ft}} tall, or sometimes a shrub {{convert|3|-|10|m|ft}} tall. It occurs in coastal areas of the [[Pacific Coast Ranges]] from Washington near [[Seattle]] south to the [[San Luis Obispo]] area [[California Coast Ranges]]. There is also a small [[disjunct distribution|disjunct population distribution]] in the northern [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] east of the [[Sacramento Valley]].
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''Chrysolepis chrysophylla'' grows at lower elevations than ''C. sempervirens'', from sea level to {{convert|1500|m|ft}}, rarely {{convert|2000|m|ft}}. The leaves are {{convert|6|-|12|cm|in}} long, with an acute (sharp-pointed) apex. The [[Bark (botany)|bark]] is thick and rough.
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*'''''Chrysolepis sempervirens''''', the '''bush chinquapin''':<br>A [[shrub]] only {{convert|1|-|2|m|ft}} tall. It occurs in interior southwest Oregon and California, in the [[Klamath Mountains]], the full [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] range, and the [[San Gabriel Mountains|San Gabriel]], [[San Bernardino Mountains|San Bernardino]], and [[San Jacinto Mountains]] of the [[Southern California]] Transverse Ranges.
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''Chrysolepis sempervirens'' grows mostly at high elevation, {{convert|1000|-|3000|m|ft}} altitude. The leaves are smaller, {{convert|4|-|8|cm|in}} long, with an obtuse (blunt-pointed or rounded) apex. The bark is thin and smooth.
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==External links==
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{{Commons category multi|Chrysolepis chrysophylla|Chrysolepis sempervirens}}
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*[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4316,4317 Jepson Manual Treatment: Genus ''Chrysolepis'']
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*[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4316,4317,4318  Jepson Manual Treatment - ''Chrysolepis chrysophylla'']
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*[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4316,4317,4321  Jepson Manual Treatment - ''Chrysolepis sempervirens'']
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*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CHRYS15 USDA Plants Profile: ''Chrysolepis'']
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*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=106995 Flora of North America - ''Chrysolepis'']
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q137054}}
  
 
[[Category:Fagaceae]]
 
[[Category:Fagaceae]]
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[[Category:Plants for Keenan to eat]]
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[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
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[[Category:Trees of the Southwestern United States]]
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[[Category:Trees of the Northwestern United States]]
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[[Category:Flora of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)]]
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[[Category:Flora of California]]
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[[Category:Transverse Ranges|~]]
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[[Category:Bird food plants]]
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[[Category:Plants used in Native American cuisine]]

Revision as of 15:16, 13 August 2018

This article is about a genus of plant. For the prehistoric fish, see Chrysolepis (fish).

Chrysolepis
Chrysolepis chrysophylla Burr.JPG
Chrysolepis chrysophylla
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fagales
Family:
Fagaceae
Genus:
Chrysolepis
Species

Chrysolepis is a small genus in the beech family Fagaceae, endemic to the western United States. Its two species have the common name chinquapin. The genus occurs from western Washington south to the Transverse Ranges in Southern California, and east into Nevada.

Description

Chrysolepis are evergreen trees and shrubs with simple, entire (untoothed) leaves with a dense layer of golden scales on the underside (hence the genus name, from Greek chryso-, yellow, and lepis, scale) and a thinner layer on the upper side; the leaves persist for 3–4 years before falling.

The fruit is a densely spiny cupule containing usually three sweet, edible nuts, eaten by the indigenous peoples. The fruit also provides food for birds and wildlife.

Chrysolepis is related to the subtropical southeast Asian genus Castanopsis (in which it was formerly included), but differs in the nuts being triangular and fully enclosed in a sectioned cupule, and in having bisexual catkins. Chrysolepis also differs from another allied genus Castanea (chestnuts), in nuts that take 14–16 months to mature (3–5 months in Castanea), evergreen leaves and the shoots having a terminal bud.

Chrysolepis chrysophylla foliage, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Northern California.
Note undersides of foliage are a bright yellow.

Species

There are two species of Chrysolepis — Chrysolepis chrysophylla and Chrysolepis sempervirens — which like many species in the related genera of Castanopsis and Castanea are called chinquapin, also spelled "chinkapin".

Chrysolepis chrysophylla grows at lower elevations than C. sempervirens, from sea level to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft), rarely 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). The leaves are 6–12 centimetres (2.4–4.7 in) long, with an acute (sharp-pointed) apex. The bark is thick and rough.

Chrysolepis sempervirens grows mostly at high elevation, 1,000–3,000 metres (3,300–9,800 ft) altitude. The leaves are smaller, 4–8 centimetres (1.6–3.1 in) long, with an obtuse (blunt-pointed or rounded) apex. The bark is thin and smooth.

External links

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