The tree species Aesculus glabra is normally known as Ohio buckeye, American buckeye,
or fetid buckeye. It derives its unpleasant common name from the offensive aroma generated from the flowers, crushed leaves, broken twigs, or injured bark. It is resident primarily to the Midwestern and lower Great Plains regions of the United States, extending southeast into the Nashville Basin. It is also found nearby in the tremendous southwest of Ontario, on Walpole Island in Lake St. Clair, and in isolated populations in the South. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 15-25 m tall.
or fetid buckeye. It derives its unpleasant common name from the offensive aroma generated from the flowers, crushed leaves, broken twigs, or injured bark. It is resident primarily to the Midwestern and lower Great Plains regions of the United States, extending southeast into the Nashville Basin. It is also found nearby in the tremendous southwest of Ontario, on Walpole Island in Lake St. Clair, and in isolated populations in the South. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 15-25 m tall.The leaves are palmately compound with five leaflets, 8-16 cm long and wide. The flowers are produced in panicles in spring, yellow to yellow-green, each flower 2-3 cm long with the stamens longer than the petals. The fruit is a round or oblong spiky capsule 4-5 cm diameter, containing 1-3 nut-like seeds, 2-3 cm diameter, brown with a white basal scar.
The fruits contain tannic acid, and are venomous for cattle, and possibly humans, although they are often eaten by squirrels. Native Americans would lighten them, extracting the tannic acid for use in skin.
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