Species of chestnut native to China. Nuts of the tree have local importance as food and are exported in large quantities. When cultivated close to other species of chestnut, it readily cross-pollinates to form hybrids. This species has evolved over a long period in coexistence with the bark fungal disease chestnut blight, and it has evolved a very successful resistance to the blight; although it is not immune, it typically sustains no more than minor damage when infected. This is in stark contrast to the American chestnut, which had no resistance to the blight, and was nearly wiped out after its introduction from Asia to North America in the early 20th century.
