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Aesculus californica
Californian buckeye
Deciduous tree
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The Aesculus californica plant species is found in Southwestern N. America - California. It is a member of the Hippocastanaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Californian buckeye. Some home gardeners know the variety as Pavia californica. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
Latin Name: Aesculus californica
Common Name: Californian buckeye
Family: Hippocastanaceae
Author: (Spach.)Nutt.
Known Hazards: The seed is rich in saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisible to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K]. The flowers of this plant are toxic to bees[94].
Mature Height: 12 Mature Width: 10
Habitat: Moist stream borders, scrub and the edges of oak and pine woods in canyons and dry slopes below 1200 metres[71, 184, 229].
General Uses: The seed is rich in saponins, these are used as a soap substitute[169]. The saponins can be easily obtained by chopping the seed into small pieces and infusing them in hot water. This water can then be used for washing the body, clothes etc. Its main drawback is a lingering odour of horse chestnuts[K].
Wood - soft, light, very close grained[82]. Of no value as a lumber[229]. The wood was used as friction sticks for making fire by the North American Indians[257].
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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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