Unit 27 (027)

1. Aesculus

Aesculus includes buckeyes and horse chestnuts. The fruit are poisonous, and not

related to the true edible chestnut (Castanea in Unit 009). The American Indians used

crushed seeds to stupify fish.

One disease common on Aesculus hippocastanum is Leaf blotch disease.

Physiological leaf scorch is also a problem.

Not all buckeyes have spiny fruit. Aesculus octandra and Aesculus pavia have smooth

fruit.