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Ohio buckeye

Scientific Name: Aesculus glabra

Family: Hippocastanaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

The Aesculus glabra, commonly known as Ohio buckeye, American buckeye, or fetid buckeye, is a tree species with a rich history and distinctive characteristics. Its name is deeply intertwined with the state of Ohio, where it holds significant cultural importance.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that the Ohio buckeye is toxic when taken internally. This includes leaves and bark.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions that the Ohio buckeye is toxic when taken internally. This includes leaves and bark.
  • The Ohio Buckeye produces a small, shiny, dark brown nut with a light tan patch, which could be a choking hazard for small children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Aesculus glabra
  • Common Names: Ohio buckeye, American buckeye, fetid buckeye, horse chestnut.
  • Family: Hippocastanaceae (Horsechestnut family)
  • Synonyms/Variations: Aesculus glabra var. arguta

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to America, the Ohio buckeye thrives in woods and can be found as far west as northern Iowa, northern Illinois, and Michigan.
  • It is primarily an understory tree in the western half of Ohio, favoring soils with a more alkaline pH.
  • The tree can also be found in all parts of Kentucky, with a greater prevalence in the Bluegrass region and Western Kentucky.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Buckeyes are often small trees, with a spread nearly equal to their height.
  • Ohio and yellow buckeyes are some of the larger species in the family, with heights of 40-60 feet and a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet.
  • Leaves are opposite and palmately compound, typically with 5 leaflets.
  • Bark is gray and scaly.

Environmental Requirements

  • The Ohio buckeye adapts to a variety of soils but prefers moist loams.
  • It thrives in soil pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.5.
  • Leaf scorch can be a problem on dry sites.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "Buckeye" presumably originates from local usage in the early days of settlement in Ohio.
  • Ohio is nicknamed "The Buckeye State," and the buckeye nut serves as the mascot for The Ohio State University.
  • According to folklore, the buckeye nut is considered a good luck charm.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The text mentions that Ohio Buckeye is a poisonous plant.