California Buckeye Aesculus californica
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ES-kew-lus kal-ih-FOR-nih-kah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Deciduous shrub or sometimes small tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) with and open flat-topped crown and short trunk. It has an early leaf drop and is deciduous much of the year revealing its smooth silver-gray bark. Branchlets are reddish gray-brown when young. This plant usually breaks dormancy in late winter, but will return to dormancy during hot, dry summer months.
Seasons of Interest:
Leaf: Early fall Bloom: Spring/Summer May-June Fruit/Nut/Seed: Summer/Fall Buds: Winter, sticky Bark: Winter, attractive gray
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Bagworms, Japanese beetle and borers can be problems. It can suffer from powdery mildew, rust, and anthracnose. Responds to intense heat, wind or drought stress by dropping leaves. All parts of California buckeye are poisonous to humans if ingested.
Found in: Landscape as cultivated woody shrub
Poisonous part: Seeds and tea made from leaves and sprouts.
Site: Full sun to partial shade. Needs to be planted in a protected area north of zone 6. Preforms best in medium moisture, well-drained soil.
Form: Flat topped crown
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Canyon Pink'
- 'Canyon Pink'
- 'Canyon Pink'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Canyon Pink'
- 'Canyon Pink'
- 'Canyon Pink'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aesculus
- Species:
- californica
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- California
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar from flowers attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Tolerates damage by deer.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Tolerates damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a smooth, pear to fig-shaped leathery capsule with 1-3 large, brown, shiny seeds, each with a pale scar (the "buck's eye").
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Long (4-12”), terminal clusters of creamy white or pinkish fragrant flowers appear from May-June. The stamens are longer than the 5 petals.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Opposite, shiny dark green palmately divided leaves with 5 narrow-elliptic leaflets (each to 6” long) with fine marginal teeth.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Description:
- Bark is an attractive silvery gray in winter. Branchlets are reddish gray-brown when young.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous if ingested. HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Poison symptoms include muscular weakness and paralysis, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis, and stupor. (Poisonous part: Seeds and tea made from leaves and sprouts; however all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.)
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Glycoside esculin, saponin aescin, possibly alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
