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Common horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum

Phonetic Spelling
ES-kew-lus hip-oh-kas-TAY-num
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Diseases/ other issues: Subject to leaf blotch, leaf scorch, powdery mildew; leaves often die in early fall

 

Found in: Landscape as cultivated flowering tree and street tree

 

Poison Part: Seeds and tea made from leaves and sprouts

Site: Sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil; dislikes dry soil

Texture: Medium to coarse

Form: Upright; oval to rounded crown

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Baumennii'
  • 'Wisselink'
'Baumennii', 'Wisselink'
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#flowering tree#street tree#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#fall color#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Baumennii'
  • 'Wisselink'
'Baumennii', 'Wisselink'
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#flowering tree#street tree#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#fall color#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aesculus
    Species:
    hippocastanum
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
    Dimensions:
    Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is 1 to 2 in., prickly, leathery capsule with large, shiny, brown seeds (each with a pale scar).
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Description:
    There are 5 to 12' panicle of creamy white flowers, which are large, with a yellow throat and red speckled center (in a large terminal cluster).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves include 7 lobes, are non-showy, and have yellow fall color. They are also opposite, palmately divided with 5 leaflets.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poisonous if ingested. HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Symptoms may include muscle weakness and paralysis, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis, and stupor. (Poison Part: Seeds and tea made from leaves and sprouts)
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Glycoside aesculin, saponin aescin, possibly alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems