California Buckeye Aesculus californica

Buckeye is a small tree 12 to as much a 35 feet tall. Leaves are palmately compound and occur in sets of five. Buckeye has a distinct erect panicle (bottle-shaped) of flowers 5-8 inches long by 2-3 inches wide. The flowers are white to light pink and have a sweet scent. The distinctive pear-shaped fruit bares a large light brown nut that is often found on the ground beneath the trees. Buckeye can be found among the mixed hardwoods and in chaparral habitats. It looses it leaves very early in summer as a strategy for water conservation.

buckeye branches and leavesBuckeye leaves are in sets of five.

buckeye branches and leaves
The dark green foliage with a palmate (leaflets radiating from one point) leaves make the buckeye easy to recognize in spring and early summer.

buckeye tree trunkBuckeye tree trucks split and twist in many diretions.

buckeye flowers
The flowers are a distinct erect panicle 5-8 inches long by 2-3 inches wide. The flowers are white to light pink and have a sweet scent.

buckeye flowers
Flowers will cover the tree and become an important nectar source for many insects.

buckeye seeds nuts
Fruit of the buckeye tree.

buckeyes
Fruit capsules fresh off the tree. They range in size from 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 inches.

open buckeyes
As the capsules dry and thin they open to reveal the rich dark orange-brown seed with a cream colored eye— thus the buckeye name.

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