Aesculus pavia

Red buckeye, Scarlet buckeye, Firecracker-plant

Sapindaceae Edible: Seeds, Nut, Caution Some parts severely toxic — see hazards 22,182 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Aesculus pavia, known as red buckeye or firecracker plant (formerly Pavia rubra), is a species of deciduous flowering plant. The small tree or shrub is native to the southern and eastern parts of the United States, found from Illinois to Virginia in the north and from Texas to Florida in the south. It is hardy far to the north of its native range, with successful cultivation poleward to Arboretum Mustila in Finland. It has a number of local names, such as scarlet buckeye, woolly buckeye and firecracker plant.

Description

A deciduous shrub. It grows to 5 m high and spreads to 3 m across. It has dense cane like branches. The bark is dark grey and smooth. The leaves have leaflets divided like fingers on a hand. The leaves have 5 leaflets. These have sharp teeth. They can be 15 cm long. They are dark glossy green above and turn red in autumn. The flowers are 4 cm long and deep crimson. They are produced in upright spikes. The fruit is rounded and smooth and brown. It encloses 1 or 2 glossy brown seeds.

Edible Uses

The seed can be cooked, or dried and ground into a powder for use as a gruel. It is quite large — about 25 mm in diameter — and easy to harvest. However, it is rich in saponins that must be removed before eating. Based on practice documented for A. californica, one method involves slow-roasting the nuts (which renders the saponins harmless), slicing them thinly, placing them in a cloth bag, and rinsing in a stream for 2–5 days. Most minerals and other nutrients will also be lost during this process.

Traditional Uses

Seeds are eaten cooked. They can be dried and ground into a powder and used as a porridge. CAUTION: This plant contains saponins which although poisonous are not normally easily absorbed by the body. It is nevertheless probably no wise to eat large quantities. The saponin can be removed by slow roasting, then crushing and extended washing.

Medicinal Uses

The powdered bark is hypnotic and odontalgic. It is used in the treatment of ulcers. A poultice of powdered seeds has been applied to cancer tumours and infections, and used as a salve for sores. An infusion of the roots has been used as a bath treatment for dyspepsia.

Known Hazards

The seed is rich in saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. They grow naturally in South-eastern North America from Virginia to Florida and west to Louisiana in rich moist soils in deciduous woods. It can grow well in sandy soils. Trees are very shade tolerant but can also grow in sunny positions. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Australia, North America, USA, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed. Fresh seed which has not been allowed to dry out should be used. Seed germinates quickly. Trees transplant fairly easily. Plants can be grown by separating the suckers during the dormant time.

Propagation

Sow seed outdoors or in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, as it germinates almost immediately and has very limited viability — it must not be allowed to dry out. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours before sowing, though even then germination cannot be guaranteed. Sow with the scar facing downward. Seedlings started in a cold frame should be potted up in early spring and planted out in summer. Suckers can be divided during the dormant season and planted directly into permanent positions if desired.

Other Uses

Saponins from the seed and roots act as a soap substitute. To extract them, chop the seed into small pieces and infuse in hot water; the liquid can then be used to wash the body or clothes, though it leaves a lingering odour of horse chestnuts.

Production

Trees are fast-growing but also short-lived. They can commence flowering when only 1 metre tall.

Notes

There are 15 Aesculus species. Also put in the family Hippocastanaceae.

Synonyms

Aesculus splendens

References (11)

Coombes, A.J., 2000, Trees. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks. p 181
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 108
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 80
Krochmal, A. & Krochmal, C., 1982, Uncultivated Nuts of The United States. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. p 32
Little, E.L., 1980, National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. Alfred A. Knopf. p 587

Show all 11 references

Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 46
Loughmiller, C & L., 1985, Texas Wildflowers. A Field Guide. University of Texas, Austin. p 105
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Sp. pl. 1:344. 1753
Wickens, G.E., 1995, Edible Nuts. FAO Non-wood forest products. FAO, Rome. p 132
Young, J., (Ed.), 2001, Botanica's Pocket Trees and Shrubs. Random House. p 74