American Chestnut
Castanea dentata · Fagaceae (Beech family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple deciduous
Shape
Oblanceolate to oblong-lanceolate with an acuminate tip
Margin
Coarsely and sharply serrate with prominent incurved teeth
Arrangement
Alternate on the stem
Venation
Pinnate with straight, highly prominent parallel veins terminating at each tooth tip
Key Features
Elongated oblong-lanceolate blade shape paired with very prominent, straight parallel veins ending in coarse teeth
Description
Large deciduous tree reaching substantial heights with furrowed bark, producing spiny burrs enclosing nuts and showing yellow autumn color
Habitat
Well-drained acidic soils in temperate deciduous forests
Native Range
Eastern North America, historically from Maine to Mississippi
Identified on 10/17/2026