| |
Aesculus glabra Ohio buckeye Deciduous tree (1 Page of 5) The Aesculus glabra plant species is found in Southeastern and Central N. America - Pennsylvania to Nebraska, south to Tennessee and Oklahoma. It is a member of the Hippocastanaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Ohio buckeye. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Aesculus glabra Common Name: Ohio buckeye Family: Hippocastanaceae Author: Willd. 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]. Mature Height: 20 Mature Width: Habitat: Usually found in moist sites such as river bottoms and streambank soils, but it is sometimes also found on drier sites though does not grow so well there[229].
General Uses: Saponins in the seed 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 - close-grained, light, soft, white, but often blemished by dark lines of decay[82, 229]. It weighs 28lb per cubic foot[235]. It is easy to carve and resists splitting. Ideal to use in making artificial limbs, it is also used for woodenware, pulp etc and is occasionally sawn into lumber[82, 229, 235].
For further Aesculus glabra gardening information click on one of the blue links below 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'. View their bibliography

| |