|
|
Aesculus hippocastanum - Horse
Chestnut
The Horse Chestnut is normally used as an
ornamental tree for avenues or as an isolated plant. It creates a large dense
and shaded area.
Morphology
Monumental Horse Chestnut
Behaviour
The Horse Chestnut can reach a height of 25
– 30 meters; presents a large and elegant arboreal behaviour. The foliage is
expansive, reaching 8 -10 meters in diameter remaining very compact. Appearance
is circular or
pyramid.
Bark
The branches are freckled presenting large
buds, reddish and a terminal of notable dimensions, covered with a viscous
substance. The bark is brown and smooth; desquamation on ageing.
Foliage
The foliage of the Horse Chestnut are
deciduous, palmate-silky, with opposite insertions, connected by a stalk of
10-15 cm, on brown or greenish twigs and lightly pubescent. Each leaf, which can
reach over 20 cm long, is constituted by 5-7 thin layers 
Flowers
The plant has bilateral symmetry
hermaphrodite flowers, constituted by a small chalice of 5 lobes and a corolla
with 5 white petals, often rose or yellow spotted at centre. The flowers are
united in inflorescence panicle of large dimensions (reaching 20 cm and 50
flowers). Flowering april –
may.
.jpg)
Habitat
Long living and
rustic, tolerant to low temperatures and not having requirements to particular
soils, even though better in fertile ground. Less tolerant to salty ground and
pollutant atmosphere which creates reddening of the foliage edges and early
drying of the leaf.
Origin
Originating from
oriental Europe (Balkan peninsula, Carpathians); introduced to Vienna in 1591 by
Charles de l'Écluse and to Paris by Bachelier in 1615. In Italy it is widespread
in all regions, especially those in centre-north, from the planes to as high as
1200 meters.
Differences
from other plants
It
differentiates itself from other ornamental plants due to each leaf having not
only a single lamina divided more or less in depth but by 5-7 smaller leaves
completely formed. From the true chestnut, it has different leaf forms: the
chestnut are simple inserted on the branch, the horse chestnut are composite. The
seeds of the horse chestnut, similar to the chestnut, has a different form –
more spherical. The
fruits are also different, the husk of the chestnut is covered thickly with thin
prickles whereas those of the horse chestnut are sparse and stocky.
Other species
and varieties of Aesculus type
* Aesculus pavia,
red flower type originating from America
* Aesculus x
camea, ornamental hybrid with pink-red flowers, particularly sensitive to
pollution. It has a more collective behaviour compared to the horse chestnut and
the buds are not sticky.
* Aesculus
hippocastanum var. “Baumann”, sterile variety, produces double white flowers
with yellow stains, red and pink in june-july.
|
|
|
|
I Nature
Fun
Charity
Other information
Etymology:
The species name derives
from the Greek ‘ippos’ horse and ‘castanon’ chestnut, due to the
alimentary use of the fruits to stimulate horses.
Propagation and
cultivation: It
multiplies with seeds, which is planted when mature because it rapidly
loses its germability.
Adversities:
Since 1985 the
‘Cameraria ohridella’ moth is present in Europe, which provoking the
weakening and desiccation of the horse chestnut due to the larva
excavating galleries into the foliage.
Uses:
From the seeds are
extracted primaries which prevent thrombosis. Previously, the fruit
was used as animal foodstuff. The seeds were utilized to produce flour
and, after toasting, substitute coffee. The fruits have a moderate
narcotic effect and the seeds not treated are toxic.
The wood is of bad burning quality.
The bark was used as
febrifuge. The Horse Chestnut is a flower of Bach, the white chestnut.
In the United
Kingdom the seeds, known as conker, are used for the popular
game Conkers.
|
|
|
|
