Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra · Sapindaceae (Soapberry family, which includes Maples and Buckeyes)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Palmately compound, deciduous
Shape
Typically composed of 5 lanceolate to obovate leaflets radiating from a central point
Margin
Serrate (finely toothed margins)
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Pinnate venation on individual leaflets, converging into a palmate arrangement at the petiole junction
Description
The Ohio Buckeye is a medium-sized deciduous tree known for its characteristic palmately compound leaves usually featuring five leaflets, showy greenish-yellow spring flowers, and spiny husks containing glossy brown nuts with a pale scar.
Habitat
Rich moist soils, river valleys, floodplains, and rich mesic deciduous forests, thriving in partial shade to full sun.
Native Range
Native to the midwestern and lower central regions of the United States, extending from parts of Pennsylvania and Michigan down to Texas and Georgia.