About Aesculus pavia L.
Aesculus pavia L., commonly called red buckeye, is a large shrub or small tree that typically reaches 5 to 8 meters (16 to 26 feet) in height, and often grows in a multi-stemmed form. Its leaves are arranged oppositely, and are usually made up of five elliptical, serrated leaflets. Each leaflet measures 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long. In spring, it produces clusters of attractive dark red tubular flowers that are 10 to 18 centimeters (4 to 7 inches) long. The flowers of red buckeye are hermaphrodite, and are attractive to both hummingbirds and bees. Its smooth, light brown fruits are roughly 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in diameter, and mature in early fall. The fruits are rich in saponins, which are poisonous to humans, though they do not pose a particularly high danger because they are not easily ingested. The seeds are also poisonous. Oils from the plant can be extracted to make soap, but this production is not commercially viable.
