Aesculus glabra

Species of tree

Aesculus glabra, commonly known as the Ohio buckeye, is a species of deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae family. It is native to the Midwestern and lower Great Plains regions of the United States, extending southeast into the Nashville Basin.

Description

Aesculus glabra is a medium-sized deciduous tree that typically grows to a height of 15–25 meters (49–82 feet). The tree has a rounded crown and a short trunk. The bark is light gray and becomes scaly with age.

The leaves are palmately compound, with five (rarely seven) leaflets, each leaflet 8–16 cm long and 3–7 cm broad, with a finely serrated margin. The leaves are dark green above and paler below, turning yellow or orange in the fall.

The flowers are produced in panicles in spring, each flower 2–3 cm long, with a tubular greenish-yellow corolla. The fruit is a round capsule 4–5 cm diameter, containing one to three nut-like seeds, 2–3 cm diameter, brown with a whitish basal scar.

Distribution and habitat

Aesculus glabra is found primarily in the central United States, from Pennsylvania west to Nebraska, and south to Alabama and Texas. It grows in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, riverbanks, and floodplains.

Ecology

The seeds of Aesculus glabra are toxic to humans and livestock if ingested. However, they are consumed by some wildlife species, such as squirrels, which are able to detoxify the seeds.

The tree is a host plant for the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the buckeye butterfly.

Uses

While the seeds are toxic, Native Americans historically leached the seeds to remove toxins and used them as a food source. The wood of Aesculus glabra is soft and light, making it suitable for carving and crafting small items.

Cultural significance

The Ohio buckeye is the state tree of Ohio, and its name is used for the Ohio State University sports teams, known as the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Related pages

• Aesculus
• Sapindaceae
• Deciduous
• Ohio State University

Gallery

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  Aesculus glabra

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  Buckeye emblem

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  Aesculus glabra var. glabra

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  Buckeye Covers emblem