Aesculus glabra
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| Aesculus glabra Willd. |
The tree species Aesculus glabra is commonly known as Ohio buckeye, American buckeye, or fetid buckeye. It derives its unflattering common name from the disagreeable odor generated from the flowers, crushed leaves, broken twigs, or bruised bark. It is native primarily to the Midwestern and lower Great Plains regions of the United States, extending southeast into the Nashville Basin.[1] It is also found locally in the extreme southwest of Ontario, on Walpole Island in Lake St. Clair, and in isolated populations in the South.[2] It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 15-25 m tall.
The leaves are palmately compound with five (rarely seven) leaflets, 8-16 cm long and broad. The flowers are produced in panicles in spring, yellow to yellow-green, each flower 2-3 cm long with the stamens longer than the petals (unlike the related Yellow Buckeye, where the stamens are shorter than the petals). The fruit is a round or oblong spiny capsule 4-5 cm diameter, containing 1-3 nut-like seeds, 2-3 cm diameter, brown with a whitish basal scar.
The fruits contain tannic acid, and are poisonous for cattle, and possibly humans [1], although they are often eaten by squirrels. Native Americans would blanch them, extracting the tannic acid for use in leather.
[edit] Symbolism and uses
The Ohio buckeye is the state tree of Ohio and an original term of endearment for the pioneers on the Ohio frontier, with specific association with William Henry Harrison. Subsequently, the word was used as the nickname of the Ohio State University sports teams and came to be applied to any graduate of the university.
The buckeye confection, made to resemble the tree's nut, is made by dipping a spoonful of peanut butter fudge in milk chocolate, leaving a circle of the peanut butter exposed. These are a popular treat in Ohio, especially during the Christmas and NCAA college football seasons.
[edit] References and external links
- Darbyshire, S. J., & Oldham, M. J. (1985). Ohio buckeye, Aesculus glabra, on Walpole Island, Lambton County, Ontario. Canad. Field-Nat. 99: 370-372.
- Farrar, J.R. (1995). Ohio Buckeye. Trees in Canada. Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd. (Markham, Ontario) and the Canadian Forest Service (Ottawa). pg. 157.
- USDA plant profile for Ohio Buckeye
- National Register of Big Trees
- Aesculus glabra images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
- Ohio Buckeye Aesculus glabra Diagnostic photographs and documentation
- Buckeye Peanut Butter & Chocolate Recipe
- Ohio Buckeye Trivia Cards tell about the buckeye, buckeye tree, buckeye history, buckeye folklore and more.
- ^ "Aesculus glabra Range Map". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ "Aesculus glabra Range Map". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2008-03-06.
