The American Chestnut, also known as Castanea dentata, is a large deciduous tree that once dominated the forests of the eastern United States. However, due to an invasive fungus that appeared in the early 20th century, the population of these trees has declined significantly. As a result, various synonyms are used to refer to the American Chestnut, including the eastern chestnut, Appalachian chestnut, and the sweet chestnut. The name Castanea dentata itself is derived from the Latin word for chestnut, "castanea," and "dentata," which means toothed, referring to the sharp teeth along the edges of its leaves. Despite the decline of this species, researchers continue to study ways to restore the American Chestnut to its former glory.