SafePlants

Aesculus x neglecta 'Erythroblastos'

Aesculus x neglecta 'Erythroblastos' is commonly known as the Sunshine horse chestnut, Sunrise horse chestnut, Sunshine buckeye, or Yellow horse chestnut. It is also sometimes called Caroline horse chestnut 'Erythroblastos'. It is a hybrid of Aesculus flava and Aesculus sylvatica.

Considerations for Pets

• Produces classic shiny brown chestnuts in the fall.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)
• Genus: Aesculus
• Synonyms: Aesculus x neglecta Lindl., Aesculus neglecta (implied through mention of debate over status)
• Aesculus neglecta Sarg. var. georgiana is also mentioned.
• Aesculus neglecta syn A flava x A sylvatica

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the United States, specifically the southeastern part.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• A small, conical, deciduous tree, sometimes grown as a shrub with multiple trunks, or grafted on a rootstock to form a small tree.
• Can reach up to 30 meters (99 feet) in height.
• Trunk is smooth and grey, with thin twigs that are also grey.
• Palmate leaves that open pink, turning creamy-green, then eventually dark green in the summer before changing to orange and yellow in autumn.
• Young leaves in spring are shrimp-pink, turning lime green.
• Another variety, Aesculus x neglecta Autumn Fire, produces copper-colored young foliage that turns dark-green in summer.

Quirky Facts

• The young leaves emerge a shrimp-pink color in spring, sometimes described as "almost white with deep green veining."
• Its vibrant color impact lasts only a few short weeks in April and May.

Further Information

• The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) is a source of information on Aesculus neglecta 'Erythroblastos'.
• TNRS database (for taxonomic resolution).
• Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Aesculus neglecta Lindl.