ExplorePlants

horse-chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum

The horse-chestnut tree is a tall tree with big, beautiful leaves and lovely white flowers. In the fall, it produces shiny, brown seeds called conkers that kids love to collect!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The horse-chestnut has large, palmate leaves, each with 5-7 leaflets. Its striking white, candle-like flower clusters feature unique yellow and red blotches, maturing into spiky green fruits containing shiny brown 'conkers'.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAesculus
horse-chestnut
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badge
horse-chestnut

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

5

Interesting facts

Conkers were once ground up and used as soap due to natural frothing chemicals called saponins!

Horse-chestnut flowers start with yellow spots that magically turn red after being pollinated!

If you cut off a leaf, the scar left on the twig looks exactly like a tiny horseshoe.

The 'horse' in its name might come from old beliefs it could cure horses' coughs!

Special abilities

Ability

Spiky Seed Armor

Horse-chestnut has a tough, spiky green husk that protects its developing seeds from hungry animals until they are ready to drop.

Ability

Color-Changing Nectar Guides

Its white flowers have yellow and red spots that change color, guiding pollinators to the freshest nectar.

Ability

Toxic Defense Shield

Horse-chestnut leaves, bark, and seeds contain bitter compounds that deter most hungry animals from eating them.

Measurements & details

Height
2000-3000 cm
Spread
1500-2500 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Spring
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen

pollinates

buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Important early-season pollinator

eats

horse-chestnut leaf miner

Cameraria ohridella

Larvae mine and damage leaves

shelters

red squirrel

Sciurus vulgaris

Uses branches for nesting

Traits

Also known as

Conker Tree

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't eat the seeds! They can make you feel sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify horse-chestnut?

The easiest way to identify horse-chestnut is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is horse-chestnut?

2000-3000 cm

How wide does horse-chestnut spread?

1500-2500 cm

How big are the flowers on horse-chestnut?

1-2 cm

When does horse-chestnut bloom?

Spring

Is horse-chestnut edible?

No

Is horse-chestnut toxic?

Moderate

What is horse-chestnut's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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