Chrysolepis sempervirens
bush chinquapin
Western United States mountains (Sierra Nevada and Cascades)
Overview
Chrysolepis sempervirens is an evergreen shrub in the beech family, forming a dense, rounded mound 1–8 feet (0.3–2.4 m) tall and often spreading wider than tall. The leathery leaves are 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) long, oblong, and smooth-margined; the upper surface is dull green while the underside is coated in golden to rust-colored scales. Male and female flowers are borne on erect catkins 1–2.5 inches (2.5–6 cm) long in summer, creamy white and giving off a strong scent. The fruit is a spiny bur 0.8–1.2 inches (2–3 cm) wide enclosing one to three edible nuts, ripening over a second season. It grows on dry, rocky slopes, ridgelines, and montane chaparral in the Sierra Nevada, Cascade, and other western mountain ranges, generally between 2,500 and 11,000 feet (760–3,350 m). The shrub regenerates from a woody root crown after fire. It withstands cold, wind, drought, and poor rocky soils, but grows slowly and declines in rich, wet, or poorly drained ground. Its dense form gives cover, and its nuts feed birds and small mammals.
Native Range
Chrysolepis sempervirens is native to the mountains of the western United States, chiefly the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges of California and Oregon, with scattered populations in adjacent ranges.Suggested Uses
It is used in dry montane and native shrub plantings, erosion control on rocky slopes, and wildlife habitat gardens. It grows in xeric, low-water landscapes within its hardiness range.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 8'
Width/Spread3' - 8'
Bloom Information
Creamy white catkins appear from June to August and release a strong scent. Spiny burs develop afterward and take a second summer to ripen. Flowering and fruiting may overlap on the same shrub.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dull green above, golden-scaly beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Chrysolepis sempervirens grows in full sun on dry, sharply drained rocky or sandy soils. Once established it needs no irrigation and withstands prolonged summer drought, cold mountain winters, and wind. It grows slowly and is difficult to transplant because of a deep root system, so container stock is established young. It does not tolerate rich, wet, or poorly drained soils and declines where summer water is applied. It regrows from the root crown after top damage or fire.Pruning
Pruning is rarely required. Dead or damaged wood may be removed after flowering in late summer. The shrub resprouts from the root crown after cutting but is slow to regain size.Pruning Schedule
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summerfall