Buckeyes

Buckeyes
(Aesculus species)
LEAVES: Opposite, palmately compound (the leaflets arranged like spreading fingers), native buckeyes have 5 leaflets, Horsechestnut has 7, leaves to 15" long, margins toothed.

Aesculus - Buckeyes and Horse Chestnut
Aesculus flava - Yellow Buckeye
Aesculus glabra - Ohio Buckeye; Fetid Buckeye
Aesculus hippocastanum - Horse Chestnut
Aesculus parviflora - Bottlebrush Buckeye
Aesculus pavia - Red Buckeye ...

Yellow buckeyes from the Appalachians, relatives of the California buckeye and the European horse chestnut, gave summer shade for several years to a favorite sitting place, the Tanner fountain in front of the Hoover Tower.

Buckeyes are several similar but often smaller North American species of the same genus. Horse chestnuts and buckeyes (as the nuts too are called) somewhat resemble true chestnuts in appearance but are edible only after careful preparation.

Buckeyes do best in rich loamy soil, with a neutral or even basic pH. Add lime if your soil is acidic. Within their native range buckeyes shouldn't need supplemental watering or feeding and they don't have pest or disease problems.

In the woody plant identification courses at the University of Illinois, students are usually unimpressed when they first learn about bottlebrush buckeyes.

The inedible brown fruit of these Horse Chestnuts or Buckeyes holds slightly toxic, glossy seeds. Can also be grown as a shrub. Roots can be shallow and invasive.

Family: Hippocastanaceae Buckeye Family
Buckeyes /Aesculus L.

opposite arrangement.
leaves palmately compound.
flowers perfect and imperfect.
...

opposite, palmately compound, with 5 leaflets. Each leaflet is 4" to 6" long and elliptical
excellent dark green foliage that is glabrous when mature
less troubled by foliar diseases and problems than other buckeyes
Autumn Foliage ...

Ohio buckeyes (Aesculus glabra) and European horsechestnuts (A. hippocastanum) are prone to severe leaf blotch, so it's best not to plant them in small home landscapes.

See also: Buckeye, Chestnut, Horse chestnut, Green, Aesculus hippocastanum