Castanea is a genus of trees in the family Fagaceae, commonly known as chestnuts. The name Castanea is derived from the Latin word for CHESTNUT. The genus includes eight species of deciduous trees native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Chestnuts are an important food source for wildlife and humans alike, with the nuts being eaten raw or cooked. They are also used to make flour, oil, and other products.