Red Horse Chestnut
ExploreTrees
Red Horse Chestnut
Aesculus ×carnea Hayne
The Red Horse Chestnut is known for its bright red flowers that attract lots of bees and butterflies. It’s a beautiful tree to see!
Habitat: Parks and gardens
Appearance
The Red Horse Chestnut has striking, deep pink to reddish-pink flowers, often with a yellow blotch, that bloom in upright clusters. Its large, dark green palmate leaves spread like fingers, and its fruit is a lightly spiny green capsule containing poisonous brown seeds, known as conkers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAesculus
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Each big leaf is made of 5 to 7 leaflets, spreading out like fingers!
It's a special hybrid tree, a mix of two different horse chestnut species!
Its 'conkers' were once used by kids in a popular autumn game in Europe!
Unlike many nuts, its seeds are poisonous, so definitely don't try to eat them!
Special abilities
Ability
Vibrant Flower Signals
Red Horse Chestnut has bright, red-pink flowers that act like neon signs, attracting buzzing pollinators from afar.
Ability
Toxic Seed Defense
Red Horse Chestnut can produce toxic 'conkers' that deter animals from eating its valuable seeds, protecting its offspring.
Ability
Hybrid Vigor Growth
Red Horse Chestnut possesses traits from two parent trees, giving it extra strength to thrive and resist diseases.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-25 m
- Canopy Spread
- 8-12 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 50-100 cm
- Lifespan
- 150-200 years
- Fruit Type
- Spiny capsule (conker)
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Important pollinator of its vibrant flowers.
shelters
Common Blackbird
Turdus merula
Nests among its branches for protection.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Red Horse Chestnut?
The easiest way to identify Red Horse Chestnut is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Red Horse Chestnut?
15-25 m
How wide does Red Horse Chestnut spread?
8-12 m
Is Red Horse Chestnut edible?
No
How big is Red Horse Chestnut?
50-100 cm
How long does Red Horse Chestnut live?
150-200 years
Where is Red Horse Chestnut usually found?
Parks and gardens
What kind of fruit does Red Horse Chestnut produce?
Spiny capsule (conker)
Snap Map
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