Chinese chestnut, Castanea mollissima
Without a doubt, this is the most spiny structure that I have observed in the plant kingdom. It is a living pincushion which protects the developing chestnut from squirrels and other rodents which feed upon the nuts of this and other trees. To date, I have seen no evidence of a squirrel successfully gnawing its way through this defense.
When the chestnuts are ripe, this cupule splits open to reveal 1, 2 or 3 beautifully glossy nuts within.
I collected this fruit from a tree on the grounds of the old asylum complex (now called The Ridges), in Athens, Ohio.
(Check this link for more information):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens_Lunatic_Asylum
This came from the largest tree which I have seen of this species; I would estimate its age at between 50 to 75 years, but it could very well be older, and may be over 100 years old, as the grounds were originally planted with a variety of fruit and nut trees (part of an effort to make the complex self sufficient, and to provide therapeutic activities for the patients).
Chestnuts require 2 or more plants to assure cross pollination, so there must be at least one additional chestnut tree in the vicinity of the tree which I had observed.
Chinese chestnut, Castanea mollissima
Without a doubt, this is the most spiny structure that I have observed in the plant kingdom. It is a living pincushion which protects the developing chestnut from squirrels and other rodents which feed upon the nuts of this and other trees. To date, I have seen no evidence of a squirrel successfully gnawing its way through this defense.
When the chestnuts are ripe, this cupule splits open to reveal 1, 2 or 3 beautifully glossy nuts within.
I collected this fruit from a tree on the grounds of the old asylum complex (now called The Ridges), in Athens, Ohio.
(Check this link for more information):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens_Lunatic_Asylum
This came from the largest tree which I have seen of this species; I would estimate its age at between 50 to 75 years, but it could very well be older, and may be over 100 years old, as the grounds were originally planted with a variety of fruit and nut trees (part of an effort to make the complex self sufficient, and to provide therapeutic activities for the patients).
Chestnuts require 2 or more plants to assure cross pollination, so there must be at least one additional chestnut tree in the vicinity of the tree which I had observed.