Floral characters and recognition of cultivars of sweet chestnut (Castaneasativa Mill.) in Southern Switzerland

There is a significant lack of specific characteristics for distinguishing cultivars of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.). The study investigates the diagnostic suitability of flowering phenology and morphological charac teristics of C. sativa. A whole variety of such are specific for cultivars. In particular, the interrelation between various phenological phases can s upply valuable site-independent characteristics (e.g. degree of protogyny, catkin fall in relation to the phase of full female flowering). Furthermore , many structural characteristics of the differing types of inflorescence h ave a variation specific to the cultivars. (e.g. catkin length, mode of sho ot branching) apart from the known morphological characteristic of the stam ina type (length of stamina). Floral characters are very important for the distinction of cultivars of C. sativa.