Aesculus indica (Indian Horse Chestnut)

Botanical Information

FamilySapindaceae (Hippocastanaceae)
GenusAesculus
Speciesindica
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginFound in the Himalayan lowlands between western Nepal and Kashmir and Afghanistan at elevations of 900-3000 m. It was introduced to England by Colonel Henry Bunbury in 1851; Bunburry was a friend of the famous Sir Joseph Hooker the then Director of Kew.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		The tree is known to have medicinal properties and used in the treatment of headaches, skin diseases, rheumatism or as an astringent, acrid and narcotic in traditional Indian medicine. The flowers are often mixed with wheat flour to make chapatis, may be used in Indian sweetmeats such as halwa and in the porridge dalia which is consumed during religious fasting periods. The seed may be ground into a flour, steeped in water and then roasted to remove the toxin and consumed during periods of food scarcity. The nuts are toxic to both humans and animals and contain a saponin toxin, aesculin.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6b - 7a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H6
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-18 - (-12)
Temperature (°F)10
Height30 m
Spread8 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJune, July

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThe peeling bark of A. indica is a smooth, grey-green and while it flowers (July), almost six weeks later than other horse chestnut species its spiked pinkish-white flowers are equally as attractive.
ID CharacteristicFragrant pink-white flowering tree, low growing and similar in character to Aesculus hippocastenum but smaller.
ShapeDense, domed, oval crown and bushy.
LandscapeSpecimen planting and larger gardens.
PropagationSeed and grafting.
CultivationFull sun and partial-shade. Well-drained and moisture-retentive soil with a pH of acidic, alkaline and neutral. Prefers sand, clay, chalk and loam.
PestsSusceptible to horse chestnut scale, leaf-mining moths, coral spot and leaf spot.
Notable SpecimensThe University of Sussex, Brighton, England.
HabitatMountain slopes and in moist, shady valleys.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionOvoid, acute and 1.5 cm in size.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves are palmately compound with 5 - 9 leaflets. Leaves can grow up to 30 cm long. Leaflets are 5 - 9 cm in size.
Flower DescriptionFlowers appear in upright spikes which can grow up to 30 cm.
Fruit DescriptionSub-globose, 6 cm in diameter with soft, sharp spines. The fruit has 1 - 3 seeds that are 4 cm in diameter. Ingestion of seed may cause severe discomfort.
Colour DescriptionThe bark is grey with marks of white that become pinkish-beige. The buds are reddish-brown. The leaves are a pinkish-bronze that hardens to a bright green turning yellowish-orange in autumn. The flowers are white with a red or yellow splotch. The fruit is green and the seeds are a dark brown with a beige circular patch.
Texture DescriptionThe bark is smooth and exfoliating. The leaves have a glossy texture.

Photographs