Chestnut belongs to the genus Castanea of the beech family (Fagaceae) and widely cultivate in Europe, the U.s., China and Japan. Chestnuts generally range in height from 30 to 60 feet and have furrowed bark with toothed walnut or lance shaped leaves. The leaves are glossy and green but turn bronze in the fall. The staminate (male) flowers are borne in small spikes called catkins and the pistillate (female) flowers are hardly noticeable. The fruits are very spiny round burs, usually containing 2 or 3 shiny dark brown nuts. The American chestnut one ranged throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and was one of the commonest trees there. Its wood was widely used for making rail fences and its nut were roasted and eaten by early settlers. Today the species most widely cultivated are the Spanish chestnut, the Japanese chestnut and especially the Chinese chestnut. The horse-chestnut belongs to the family hippocastanaceae and the water-chestnut is an aquatic plant of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). The cape chestnut is a tall South African tree while the Moveton Bay chestnut is a member of the legume family (Leguminosae). Benefit and uses of Chestnut. Family Doctor || Contact Us || Skin Disorders || Diabetes Care || Cellulite Guide || Chemotherapy || Acne Products ||(c) Online-family-doctor.com All rights reservedDisclaimer: Online-family-doctor.com is an information and educational purposes web site only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not rely upon any of the information provided on this site for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your primary health care provider about any personal health concerns. We will not be liable for any complications, or other medical accidents arising from the use of any information on this site.