Tag Archives: Sapidaceae

Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) of the Soapberry (Sapindaceae) Family, formerly of the Horsechestnut (Hippocastanaceae) family, is a medium to large deciduous tree with opposite, palmately compound leaves. It is native from central Texas to western Pennsylvania and as far north as central Iowa to southern Michigan and south into northern Alabama and the highlands of the northwestern half of Arkansas. Other common names include “American buckeye” and “fetid buckeye”, based on the odor of crushed leaves, bark and twigs. The name “buckeye” relates to the dark, ovoid poisonous seeds that have a lighter colored hilum (scar). Continue reading →