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Chrysolepis chrysophylla  (Hook.) Hjelmq.
Giant chinquapin,   Golden chinquapin
© 2020 Mary Conway
© 2021 Hunter Breck
© 2022 Jamie Spielmann
© 2019 Cynthia Powell
© 2014 Richard Chasey
© 2025 R.A. Chasey
© 2025 Cynthia Powell
© 2020 Aaron Sunshine
© 2019 Cynthia Powell
© 2019 Patrick Furtado
© 2019 Cynthia Powell
© 2025 Cynthia Powell
© 2025 Mike Russler
© 2025 Mike Russler
© 2019 Aaron Sunshine
© 2025 Mike Russler
© 2025 Mike Russler
© 2025 Mike Russler
© 2023 Suzanne L. Weakley
© 2022 Zoya Akulova-Barlow
© 2019 Cynthia Powell
Chrysolepis chrysophylla is a tree or shrub that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
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Bloom Period
Subspecies and Varieties:
Genus: Chrysolepis
Family: Fagaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Habitat: slopes, ridges

Communities: Closed-cone Pine Forest, Redwood Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Chaparral

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Information about  Chrysolepis chrysophylla from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (CHCH7)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Nuts as Food Source: The nut is edible, having a flavor similar to the hazelnut or filbert.[2] They were consumed by Native Americans.[3] The nuts are commonly eaten by squirrels and chipmunks.[6] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

Learn more about Chrysolepis chrysophylla: Chrysolepis chrysophylla Jepson video: (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/30/2025).