California Buckeye

Aesculus californica

Soapberry (Sapindaceae)

Native

Key Identifying Characteristics

Large shrub to small tree with gray bark and palmate leaves that are deciduous in summer. Spring brings lush foliage, followed by distinctive ‘candles’ of white blooms. Leaves fall in late summer making it easy to identify the tree in the landscape. Fig shaped fruit contains the round seed that gives the tree its name.

Height / Size

Fast growing, ranging from shrubs to trees 30 feet tall.

Leaves or Needles

5 part compound leaves in the shape of a hand. Leaf edges are finely-toothed and bud in early February. This is only CA native plant with opposite, compound leaves.

Bark/Trunk

Multi-trunked small rounded tree with gray bark.

Flower

Each aromatic flower has four pink or white petals and long stamens.
Bloom time: May to July.

Fruit/Seed/Cone

Resembles a buck’s eye with leathery, light brown casing opening to show a dark brown seed, about 2 inches across. It is enclosed in the fig-shaped fruit.

Habitat

Dry slopes, canyons, upper margins of streams.

Location / Range

Visitor’s Center, Hazelnut and Old Trout Farm trails. Endemic to the California Floristic Province, occurring from the western Transverse Ranges in the south, north to southwestern Oregon. Occurs in a wide range of habitat conditions throughout the coast ranges, the greater central valley, and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

Lifespan

Between 250 and 280 years with a maximum of 300 years.

Fascinating / Fun Facts

Also known as the California Horse-Chestnut. The large seeds, called nuts, contain glucoside aesculin, which is a toxic compound. These nuts are the largest seeds produced by any non-tropical plant species.