ExplorePlants

buckeyes and horse-chestnuts

Aesculus

Buckeyes and horse-chestnuts are trees that grow big and strong. They have beautiful leaves and produce shiny nuts that look like little brown balls. These trees are fun to see in parks and forests!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The buckeyes and horse-chestnuts has large, palmate leaves usually with 5-7 leaflets, and showy upright clusters of white, yellow, or pinkish flowers. Their shiny, leathery seeds (nuts) are encased in spiky or smooth husks, distinguishing them from other trees.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAesculus
buckeyes and horse-chestnuts
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgenut_bearing trait badge
buckeyes and horse-chestnuts

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Horse-chestnut flowers start white, then get yellow or red spots!

Ohio is called the "Buckeye State" because of these amazing trees!

People once ground buckeye nuts to create a mild, natural soap!

Some buckeye nuts have a "scar" that looks exactly like an animal's eye!

Special abilities

Ability

Poisonous Shield

Buckeyes and horse-chestnuts produce toxic chemicals in all parts that protect them from hungry animals.

Ability

Pollinator Beacon

Their tall, showy flower clusters act like bright signals, attracting bees and other insects to help with pollination.

Ability

Sun Power

Buckeyes and horse-chestnuts have large, hand-shaped leaves that efficiently capture sunlight to make food.

Measurements & details

Height
1500-3900 cm
Spread
1000-2000 cm
Flower Size
1-3 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to early summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
High
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen

eats

horse-chestnut leaf miner

Cameraria ohridella

larvae feed on the leaves

depends on

Eastern gray squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

buries and forgets seeds

parasitizes

horse-chestnut leaf blotch fungus

Guignardia aesculi

causes leaf blotch disease

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Do not eat the nuts from these trees, as they can make you sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is buckeyes and horse-chestnuts?

1500-3900 cm

How wide does buckeyes and horse-chestnuts spread?

1000-2000 cm

How big are the flowers on buckeyes and horse-chestnuts?

1-3 cm

When does buckeyes and horse-chestnuts bloom?

Spring to early summer

Is buckeyes and horse-chestnuts edible?

No

Is buckeyes and horse-chestnuts toxic?

High

What is buckeyes and horse-chestnuts's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is buckeyes and horse-chestnuts pollinated?

Insect

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