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red buckeye

Scientific Name: Aesculus pavia

Family: Hippocastanaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: KY (red buckeye)

       

Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)

Also known as Firecracker Plant or Scarlet Buckeye, Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a captivating deciduous flowering plant celebrated for its vibrant red blooms and attractive foliage.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions "poisonous nuts" of the Red Buckeye. These nuts grow in a smooth, light-colored husk.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions "poisonous nuts" of the Red Buckeye. These nuts grow in a smooth, light-colored husk.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Aesculus pavia L.
  • Common Names: Red Buckeye, Scarlet Buckeye, Firecracker Plant
  • Family: Hippocastanaceae (Horse Chestnut Family)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the southeastern United States.
  • Ranges from Virginia to Florida, westward through eastern Texas, and north to Illinois.
  • Common in rich bottomland forests of the Coastal Plain.
  • Thrives under the shade of taller trees in rich woodland areas.
  • GNPS members have chosen red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) as the Plant of the Year for 2014 and it occurs naturally in Georgia.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Deciduous shrub or small tree with an irregular rounded crown.
  • Typically grows 10-20 feet tall, but can reach 25-30 feet in the wild.
  • Can grow as a single-stemmed tree or a multi-stemmed shrub.
  • Has short, crooked branches in its crown.
  • Moderate growth rate.
  • Showy clusters of bright red flowers in early to late spring (April to June).
  • Buckeye fruits appear in September.
  • Densely branched with a rounded crown in sunny situations, less so in shade.
  • Leaves are large, dark green, and compound, arranged like fingers.
  • Calyx 5-lobed, 8-18 mm long, pubescent or rarely glabrous.
  • Petals 4, separate, unequal, clawed, scarlet, margins glandular, upper petal 25-40 mm long, blade.

Ecological Role

  • Red buckeye flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and are also attractive to bees.

Quirky Facts

  • The tree is named "buckeye" because the poisonous nuts resemble a deer's eye.

Subspecies

  • Aesculus pavia var. pavia: features red flowers and is found throughout the range of the species.

Cultivars

  • Atrosanguinea
  • Humilis
  • Splendens

Further Information

  • Arbor Day Foundation: arborday.org
  • Miracle-Gro: Miraclegro.com
  • Monrovia: (Search for "Monrovia's Red Buckeye")
  • Dave's Garden: (Search for "Dave's Garden")