Chrysolepis sempervirens aka Bush Chinquapin

Chrysolepis sempervirens is an evergreen shrub in the beech family. Its common names include dwarf golden chinquapin and bush chinquapin. It grows wild in southern Oregon and California’s mountains. Its range includes the coastal ranges and the Sierra Nevada. It grows on rocky slopes, in chaparral, and among conifers. Most sites lie high in the mountains, though some reach sea level.

This shrub forms several stems and spreads through root suckers. In gardens, expect about 10 feet [3 m] of height. Its spread can reach about 16 feet [5 m]. One Edinburgh specimen reached 11.5 feet [3.5 m] tall and 20 feet [6 m] wide. The thin bark is smooth and gray-brown. Young twigs start yellow, then turn red-brown with age. Buds gather near the twig tips. The leathery leaves have smooth edges and blunt or rounded tips. Their upper sides range from green to yellow-green. Fine rusty or gold hairs cover the undersides.

Male and female flowers grow on the same shrub. Wind carries pollen between the flowers. The pale cream male flowers form upright, scented catkins. Smaller green female flowers sit near their bases or on separate catkins. Sources place flowering in July or later in summer. Sharp, spiny burs hold one to three small, three-sided nuts. The fruit takes two growing seasons to ripen. Mature burs ripen late in summer and may grow in clusters.

Give this shrub a sheltered site with some shade. It suits woodland edges and places with dappled light. It prefers deep, moist soil that drains well. Sandy and loamy soils suit it, but avoid lime. It accepts very acid through neutral soil conditions. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 5–9. It reports success in Britain and favors oceanic or Mediterranean climates. The broad, leafy form gives it value as an ornamental shrub.

The seeds are edible either raw or cooked. They have a sweet taste that recalls hazelnuts. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. It also records no weed potential. Fresh seed offers a way to raise new plants. Sow it soon after ripening and guard it from mice. Stored seed needs cool, moist conditions and must not dry out. Young plants need shelter through their first winter.