Photo of Aesculus glabra (Ohio buckeye, American buckeye, or fetid buckeye)

Aesculus glabra - Commonly called Ohio buckeye, is a low-branched, small to medium sized deciduous tree that typically grows 20-40’ tall with a broad oval-rounded crown. Bright green palmate compound leaves emerge in spring. Leaves mature to dark green in summer. Fall color is usually yellow, although foliage may develop interesting and attractive shades of orange and red in some years. Greenish-yellow flowers appear in clusters in mid-spring. Flowers are followed by the familiar fruit, which is a globular dehiscent capsule consisting of 1-2 buckeyes encased by a leathery light brown partitioned husk covered with warty spines. Fruit on the tree is interesting but not particularly ornamental. When ripe, each buckeye turns a handsome shiny dark mahogany brown with a light tan eye. All parts of this tree, particularly the flowers, bark and twigs, emit an unpleasant odor when bruised, hence the sometimes common name of fetid buckeye. Family: hippocastanaceae

Author : Toni Leland
Photo # : 09105
Online since: October 11th 2013