Pollinator plant

Sweet Chestnut

Castanea sativa

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

44 names · 34 languages
EnglishYour language
Other languages (33)
Dutch
French
  • Châtaigne
  • Châtaignier commun[2][4]
Afrikaans
  • soetkastaiing[4]
  • Spaanse kastaiing[4]
Arabic
  • كستناء حلوة[4]
Armenian
  • Շագանակենի ցանովի[4]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
  • Pitomi kesten[4]
Czech
  • kaštanovník jedlý[4]
Danish
  • Ægte Kastanie[4]
Estonian
  • harilik kastanipuu[4]
Finnish
  • jalokastanja[4]
Galician
  • Castiñeiro común[4]
German
Hebrew
  • ערמון[4]
Hungarian
  • Szelídgesztenye[4]
Irish
Italian
Japanese
  • ヨーロッパグリ[4]
Lithuanian
  • Valgomasis Kaštainis[4]
Macedonian
  • Питом костен[4]
Norwegian
  • edelkastanje[4]
Polish
  • Kasztan jadalny[4]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Каштан посевной[4]
Slovak
  • gaštan jedlý[4]
Slovenian
  • pravi kostanj[4]
Spanish
Swedish
  • äkta kastanj[4]
Turkish
  • Anadolu kestanesi[4]
Ukrainian
  • Каштан їстівний[4]
Welsh
  • Castanwydden bêr[4]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Castanea sativa — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Sweet chestnut — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Castanea sativa.
  • European chestnut — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Castanea sativa.
  • Spanish Chestnut — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Castanea sativa.
[2] Castanea sativa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Sweet Chestnut — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Tamme kastanje — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Echte Kastanie — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Edelkastanie — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Esskastanie — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • European chestnut — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castaño — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Châtaignier commun — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • castagno — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castagno europeo — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castanha-portuguesa — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castanheiro — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Castanea sativa ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Esskastanie (DE); Sweet Chestnut (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 154483; taxon 5XCVW.
[4] Castanea sativa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Sweet Chestnut — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Tamme kastanje — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Echte Kastanie — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Edelkastanie — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Esskastanie — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • European chestnut — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castaño — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Châtaignier commun — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • castagno — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castagno europeo — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castanha-portuguesa — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castanheiro — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castanyer — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • ערמון — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Pitomi kesten — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • kaštanovník jedlý — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • edelkastanje — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Valgomasis Kaštainis — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Szelídgesztenye — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Ægte Kastanie — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Каштан посевной — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Kasztan jadalny — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • ヨーロッパグリ — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • harilik kastanipuu — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • äkta kastanj — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castiñeiro común — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • 歐洲栗 — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • 甜栗 — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • 欧洲栗 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • 甜栗 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Շագանակենի ցանովի — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Anadolu kestanesi — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • soetkastaiing — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Spaanse kastaiing — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • pravi kostanj — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • كستناء حلوة — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Питом костен — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castán — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Каштан їстівний — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • gaštan jedlý — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • Castanwydden bêr — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
  • jalokastanja — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 121763; Castanea sativa.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Castanea sativa is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Fagaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
24.38–30.48 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
9.14–15.24 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Broad; Columnar; Pyramidal; Rounded

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
Balkan Pen. to N. Iran.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Nut tree
Size
Large
Dimensions
30.00 m high × 25.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
5-7
Moisture
Moist, Well-drained
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Seed
Functions
Timber
Edibility
5 out of 5
Medicinal value
5 out of 5

Seed - raw or cooked. In its raw form, the seed has a slightly bitter taste, which significantly improves after cooking. The result is a delicious preparation with a soft texture and a flavor reminiscent of sweet potatoes. This seed is rich in carbohydrates and can be dried, ground, and used as flour in various dishes such as bread and puddings, or as a thickener in soups. Additionally, the roasted seed can serve as a substitute for coffee. Furthermore, sugar can be extracted from this seed.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Castanea sativa — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1826632; ID 5XCVW; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1826632; ID 5XCVW; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Castanea sativa — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Castanea sativa — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 975822; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 44348, 44350, 44355, 44356, 44365, 44366, 44367, 44368, 44369, 44370

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.