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California Buckeye Wikimedia Commons
Sapindaceae

California Buckeye

Aesculus californica

Abundance and good fortune.

Family
Sapindaceae
Genus
Aesculus
Native to
California
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
deciduous tree
Height
15-40 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
Well-drained, tolerates dry rocky soils
Water
low
Hardiness
7-10
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • California buckeye drops its leaves in midsummer as a drought survival strategy, appearing dead while other trees are green.
  • Native Americans crushed the toxic seeds and threw them into pools to stun fish for easy harvesting.
  • The large, pear-shaped seeds are toxic to humans and livestock but are an important food source for squirrels.
  • Cylindrical flower spikes can reach up to 8 inches long, resembling fragrant white or pink candles on the branch tips.
  • The nectar is toxic to honeybees, which is why beekeepers sometimes consider this tree problematic near apiaries.

Color meanings

0

luck

1

prosperity

2

natural beauty

Uses

  • native landscaping
  • wildlife habitat
  • ornamental specimen tree