Fetid Buckeye Aesculus glabra
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ES-kew-lus GLAY-brah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Ohio Buckeye is a low-branched, small to medium-sized deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) that typically grows 20-40’ (less frequently to 75’). It works well in remote or more naturalized areas of a landscape or in a woodland garden. It has corky gray bark. Trees show a variable amount of fall color due to differences in seedlings but are most typically yellow with some oranges and red. The flowers, bark, and stems, have an unpleasant odor when crushed, hence the sometimes common name of fetid buckeye. Because this tree has a taproot it is very difficult to transplant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Leaf blotch, powdery mildew, anthracnose. Leaf scorch occurs in dry or windy conditions. It can produce litter that makes it challenging around hardscapes like sidewalks and patios.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aesculus
- Species:
- glabra
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA, Southern
- Distribution:
- OH river valley, Great Plains, Southern Appalachians
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 29 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- warty or prickly, leathery capsule with 1-3 shiny, brown seeds, each with a pale scar (the "buck's eye")
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Appear in May, yellow/green in a terminal cluster, the stamens somewhat longer than the 4 petals
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- 5-7 leaflets that are smooth, without hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Description:
- Unpleasant aroma.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Messy
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Muscle weakness and paralysis, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis, and stupor
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Glycoside aesculin, saponin aescin, possibly alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Stems
