Aesculus sylvatica Bartram - Buckeye
Family - Hippocastanaceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
Flowers:
Flowering - April - May.
Habitat - River banks, alluvial woods, swamp forests.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This attractive species can be found mainly in the northern half of Alabama. The plant can be identified by its opposite, palmately compound leaves, its habitat, and its big clusters of yellowish flowers.
The genus name Aesculus comes from the Latin "aescul" which is the classic name for the Italian Oak. The name is applied to the Buckeye genera because the plants produce large fruits.
The species epithet sylvatica derives from the Latin "sylv" meaning "woods or forests" and "atic" meaning "habitat".
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Tom's Creek, NC., 4-20-03.