Chrysolepis chrysophylla is a species of flowering shrub or tree in the beech family known by the common names golden chinquapin, giant chinquapin, and western chinquapin. · Golden chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla), also commonly called golden chinkapin or giant chinquapin, is a relative of chestnuts that grows in California and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The tree is easily identifiable by its long, pointy leaves and spiky, yellow nuts. The tree looks like a cross between a chestnut and oak, and the leaves are golden on the underside. It produces a unique and easily distinguishable spiny fruit that contains nuts that were eaten by Native Americans and wildlife. View all Scrub golden chinquapin sprouting about 19 months after a June wildfire in manzanita chaparral transitioning to mixed-evergreen and redwood forest in the Bonny Dune Ecological Reserve. Diagnostic Characters: This shrubby tree is easily recognized by its dark, glossy, lance-shaped leaves with golden scales on the undersurface. It produces creamy, white flowers in upright catkins sometime between February and July. Chrysolepis chrysophylla is a species of flowering shrub or tree in the beech family known by the common names golden chinquapin, giant chinquapin, and western chinquapin. · The golden chinquapin is a medium-sized tree, often reaching heights of up to 30 meters (about 100 feet). Its glossy, leathery leaves and striking acorns are not only beautiful but also serve vital roles in the ecosystem. Plant description Golden Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. chrysophylla) is a native tree or shrub that grows in central and northern California. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 100 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and bloom in the mid spring. The tree looks like a cross between a chestnut and oak, and the leaves are golden on the underside. It produces a unique and easily distinguishable spiny fruit that contains nuts that were eaten by Native Americans and wildlife. Diagnostic Characters: This shrubby tree is easily recognized by its dark, glossy, lance-shaped leaves with golden scales on the undersurface. It produces creamy, white flowers in upright catkins sometime between February and July. · The golden chinquapin is a medium-sized tree, often reaching heights of up to 30 meters (about 100 feet). Its glossy, leathery leaves and striking acorns are not only beautiful but also serve vital roles in the ecosystem. Plant description Golden Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. chrysophylla) is a native tree or shrub that grows in central and northern California. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 100 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and bloom in the mid spring. Scrub golden chinquapin sprouting about 19 months after a June wildfire in manzanita chaparral transitioning to mixed-evergreen and redwood forest in the Bonny Dune Ecological Reserve.
