Aesculus hippocastanum

Aesculus hippocastanum, commonly known as Horse Chestnut, is a tree.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 10.1 History 10.2 Aesculus hippocastanum in art 10.3 Symbolism 10.4 Superstition 11 See also 12 References 12.1 Literature 12.2 Footnotes 13 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Aesculus hippocastanum was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Horse Chestnut is a species in the genus Aesculus (horse chestnut) which contains 15 species and belongs to the family of the Hippocastanaceae (Horse-chestnut Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The trees grow to a height of approximately 25 meters and have a rounded to broadly spreading shape.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Aesculus hippocastanum is a decidious plant with five-palmate leaves. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems. They are mid green and obovate. The foliage colour in autumn is yellow.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are many-petaled and yellow. The plants bloom in May. The flowers are arranged in panicles.

The fruits are loculicidal capsules.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Aesculus hippocastanum is native to the Balkan Peninsula, the Caucasus, north Iran, the Himalaya, is naturalized in France, Ireland, central Europe and eastern Central Europe.

[edit] Cultivation

The Horse Chestnut prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -34,4º C. It grows best in sandy or pebbly, loamy soil that is moderately moist to moist.

[edit] Uses

Aesculus hippocastanum is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

== Man and Aesculus hippocastanum

[edit] History

[edit] Aesculus hippocastanum in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Aesculus hippocastanum in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Aesculus hippocastanumfr:Aesculus hippocastanum