Aesculus hippocastanum
Hippocastanaceae
May to June
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Horse Chestnut
Horse Chestnut grows in urban areas (streets, parks, large
gardens) and in woodlands.
It is not thought to be fully naturalised in the wild, but it
sometimes grows from seed in waste ground, scrub and
woodland.
It is a neophyte which was introduced into England in the
1610s and recognised in the wild by the 1870s.
It is a large, deciduous, tree, growing up to 40m.
The white flowers are up to 2cm across, in large spikes
up to 30cm.
They have 4 white petals with a splash of redish-pink at
the base.
There are 5 to 8, long, downwardly arching stamens and
a long style.
The brown fruits are encased in a thick, fleshy, green,
spiky shell - conkers, which are found in autumn.
The leaves are palmate with 5 to 7 leaflets, each up to
20cm long.
They are one of the first leaves to produce their autumnal
colours.
The large buds in spring are fleshy and sticky and open to
produce both leaves and flower spikes. As children we
called them sticky buds.
Previous page: Hop Trefoil
Next page: Horse-radish
Horse Chestnut in flower
Flower spike (candle)
Close-up of flower- stamens, anthers
Immature fruits - styles, stigmas
Young conker
Conkers
Palmate leaves
Shape of tree in winter
Sticky bud - April
Opening leaf and flower bud - May
First tree leaves to turn in autumn
© Copyright 2004-2025 - CMS Made Simple
This site is powered by CMS Made Simple version 1.11.9