Aesculus californica

California Buckeye

Plant family: Hippocastanaceae -Horse/Chsnut

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Plant type: Tree

Plant origin: N/A, California

 
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Price
24 inch box natural 0 N/A
Fifteen Gallon 0 159.99
One Gallon 0 18.99
Five gallon - Natural 0 59.99

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Flower Color Cream, White
Blooming Season Spring
Height 15-25 feet
Spread 15-30 feet
Sun / Shade   
Monthly Water
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Wildlife Friendliness Rating
Plant Community > Learn More

Coastal Sage Scrub, Riparian

Best Soil Conditions > Learn More

Clay, Sandy Loam, Adaptable, Serpentine

Special Characteristic

Attracts Wildlife, Exceptional Fragrance, Important to Native People, Tolerant of Clay Soil

Plant Highlights

A small deciduous tree with showy flowers. The Buckeye has an unusual adaptation to extreme climate during the hot rainless summer months by dropping its leaves mid-summer. Large, fragrant rosy flowers are sometimes still on the tree when this happens making a remarkable statement in the landscape. New foliage appears apple green in late winter and mature leaves are a rich green, giving way to some fall color. The large fruits of this tree are poisonous and slowly ripen and fall when it rains. They can be grown into small plants the way avocado seeds are grown in glass jars. These fruits are not dispersed by wind or birds but roll downhill, possibly into running water, which carries them to a new site. Indigenous americans threw seeds into ponds to stupefy fish which then rose to the surface and were easily caught. Interestingly, they would also grind the seeds, leach with boiling water, and use the flour as an emergency food source.

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