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California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

Aesculus californica, the California Buckeye, is a deciduous tree or large shrub native to California, known for its striking white flower spikes and unique summer dormancy.

Above information is sourced from Wikipedia

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade.

Watering

Water regularly during growing season, reduce in late summer/fall.

Soil

Well-draining soil is essential. Tolerates a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils.

Temperature

Prefers moderate temperatures.

Habitat

Outdoor

Fertilizer

Generally not needed; light feeding in spring if desired.

Care Requirements

Light

Full sun to partial shade.

Tolerates heat.

Water

Water regularly during growing season, reduce in late summer/fall.

Drought-tolerant once established.

Soil

Well-draining soil is essential. Tolerates a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils.

Temperature

Prefers moderate temperatures.

Tolerates heat and some frost.

Habitat

Outdoor

Fertilizer

Generally not needed; light feeding in spring if desired.

Avoid over-fertilization.

Plant Overview

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

Plant Category

Flowering, Ornamental

Plant Place Type

Ground, Garden

Plant Environment

Outdoor

Lifespan

Perennials

Plant Height

5-15 m

Spread

3-10 m

Growth Rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Deciduous, often drops leaves in summer drought

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Palmate compound

Flower Size

10-20 cm

Image Gallery

Synonyms
Calothyrsus californica Spach
Hippocastanum californicum (Spach) Greene
Pavia californica (Spach) Hartw.
Pawia californica (Spach) Kuntze
Taxonomy
  • kingdomPlantae
  • divisionTracheophyta
  • classMagnoliopsida
  • orderSapindales
  • familySapindaceae
  • genusAesculus
  • speciesAesculus californica
Toxicity

Toxic for humans

Yes

Rating: 5/5

Toxic for pets

Yes

Rating: 5/5

Edible

No

All parts of the plant, especially the seeds and leaves, contain saponins and are toxic if ingested. Can cause digestive upset, weakness, and incoordination in pets and humans.

Additional Care Tips

FAQs