Buckeye, California

The form of the California Buckeye is a small tree or shrub reaching 30 feet tall and 5 inches in diameter. It usually branches from near the base. The branches of this tree form undulating lines radiating from the trunk. It grows to heights of 30 feet with equal crown spreads.

The tree’s fruit is poisonous as are other parts of the tree. The poison, called aesculin, causes vomiting and paralysis. Bees are known to be poisoned by the pollen.

The LEAVES are palmately compound, opposite, and deciduous. Usually 5 leaflets about 4 to 8 inches long and 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide; margins serrated; dark green and shiny above and paler below.

The FLOWERS are white or pale pink inch-long and are borne in tall, erect clusters (4 to 8 inches long). These flowers make a striking display in late spring; few trees have showier flowers.

The FRUIT are pear-shaped, smooth leathery capsules, 2 to 3 inches long. Each bears 1 or 2 orange-brown seeds about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Although many of the flowers are pollinated, the tree aborts most of the young fruits. The branches can support very few of the heavy fruits. The SEEDS of this plant look like 2-3″ varnished spheres with a tan circle on one end.

The TWIGS are stout; reddish-brown when young but darkening with age; smooth.

The BARK is thin (1/2 inch); smooth; gray.

Local (California) Native Americans used the WOOD to make fire drills (to start fires).