Dwarf buckeye, Bottlebrush Buckeye
It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in woodlands and on the coastal plains in Southern North America. Plants are very shade tolerant. It does best in a well drained soil. It can tolerate cold to about -20°C. They need a long hot dry summer to fruit. Arboretum Tasmania. It suits hardiness zone 6-10.
Also known as:
Grmasti divji kostanj
Synonyms
- Aesculus macrostachya (Michx.)
- Pavia macrostachya (Michx.) Loisel.
Edible Portion
- Seeds
Where does Dwarf buckeye grow?
Found in: Australia, North America, Slovenia, Tasmania, United States
Notes: There are 15 Aesculus species. Also put in the family Hippocastanaceae.
Growing Dwarf buckeye, Bottlebrush Buckeye
Cultivation: It can be grown by seed, cuttings or suckers. Fresh seed which has not been allowed to dry out should be used. Seed germinates quickly. Trees transplant fairly easily. Root cuttings should be used if grown from cuttings. Plants spread easily by suckers.
Edible Uses: 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 seeds are eaten cooked. Before eating they are slowly roasted then often crushed and washed for 2-5 days in running water. They are then dried and ground into a powder.
Production: Plants are slow to establish.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds | - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
Biocyclopedia Edible Plant Species. biocyclopedia.org
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 55
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 84
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
Fl. carol. 128. 1788
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 28
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p 6
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 73