Horsechestnut

Aesculus hippocastaneum

Hippocastanaceae (Horsechestnut Family)

▲▼ Large tree on campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN

▲▼ Trunk, bark

▲▼ Flowers

▲ Leaves

Location on or near Missouri State University campus:  unknown

             Aesculus hippocastanum: Horsechestnut

                                        ·         leaves opposite, deciduous, palmately compound with 7 leaflets; each leaflet obovate and 4-8" long and ½ as wide; dark green and glabrous above, rusty pubescent underneath (when young)

                                        ·         stems are stout, gray-brown when young

                                        ·         bark is dark gray to brown becoming platey and fissured with age— like apple tree bark

                                        ·         flowers are white and showy in terminal panicles in mid spring; fruit is a large capsule with 1-2 large, nut-like shiny seeds

                                        ·         prefers full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil; does not tolerate dry soils

                                        ·         medium growth rate