Botanical Overview
Castanopsis lamontii is a species in the Fagaceae family. The beech family (Fagaceae) includes trees with simple, alternate leaves and inconspicuous flowers arranged in catkins. The fruits are nuts partially enclosed in a woody cupule (acorns in oaks). This family dominates many temperate and subtropical forests and provides tannins with astringent medicinal properties. Phytochemical data for this species are limited at present.
Family Context
The Fagaceae family is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Notable medicinal members include:
- European Chestnut — 27 documented uses
- White Oak — 15 documented uses
- English Oak — 15 documented uses
- Black Oak — 9 documented uses
Geographic Distribution
Castanopsis lamontii has been recorded in Andorra, China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Active Compounds
Phytochemical research has identified 1 compound in this species: betulin.
Research Status
Although this species has documented phytochemical constituents, its ethnobotanical and clinical documentation remains incomplete. The limited documentation available for this species represents an opportunity for ethnobotanical research.