Ohio Buckeye

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iOhio Buckeye

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Sapindaceae
Genus:	Aesculus
Species:	A. glabra

Binomial name

Aesculus glabra
Willd.

Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is a species of Aesculus native to eastern North America, from Pennsylvania, west through Ohio after which it is named, to southeast Nebraska, and south to northeast Texas and northern Georgia; it is also native locally in the extreme southwest of Ontario. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 15-25 m tall.

Image:Aesculus glabra USDA.jpg

The leaves are palmately compound with five (rarely seven) leaflets, 8-16 cm long and broad. The flowers are produced in panicles in spring, yellow to yellow-green, each flower 2-3 cm long with the stamens longer than the petals (unlike the related Yellow Buckeye, where the stamens are shorter than the petals). The fruit is a round or oblong spiny capsule 4-5 cm diameter, containing 1-3 nut-like seeds, 2-3 cm diameter, brown with a whitish basal scar. The fruit is poisonous to humans, horses, and cattle; yet it is often eaten by squirrels.

[edit] Symbolism and uses

Ohio Buckeye is the state tree of Ohio and an original term of endearment for the pioneers on the Ohio frontier, with specific association with William Henry Harrison. Subsequently, the use of the term for the Ohio State University sports teams made the term a widely known title for any graduate of the university.

Of small but interesting note is the Buckeye confection, made to resemble the tree's poisonous nut, which is made by dipping a dollop of peanut butter fudge in milk chocolate. These are a popular treat throughout Ohio, especially during the Christmas and NCAA college football seasons.