Tree Species of the Aesculus Genus

Picture of a Buckeye, Horse Chestnut Tree
Aesculus hippocastanum, Horse-chestnut or Buckeye tree showing leaves and branches, Picture by Joaquim Alves Gaspar. Image use (cc1)

The Aesculus genus (Buckeyes and Horse Chestnuts), comprises of nineteen species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs native to the temperate northern hemisphere. Six species are native to North America and the rest are native to Eurasia. There are eight hybrids in the Aesculus genus, see below table.

The North American Aesculus species are known as Buckeyes and the Eurasian Aesculus species are known as Horse Chestnuts. Some species are also called white chestnut or red chestnut. The tree does not produce true nuts however the seeds are more like capsules. They are also known as Conkers.

In England Horse Chestnuts are sometimes called Conker trees because of the large seed they produce is also called a Conker. English children play a game of Conkers, where the large Conker seed is drilled so a shoelace can be attached to it, leaving about 12 inches of slack. Then several players will get together and try to smash the opponents Conker by swinging it from the shoelace, the winner being the one with the most intact Conker seed left over. The green shell is always peeled off the seed first however.

Facts about the Aesculus Genus of Trees

• Genus Scientific Name = Aesculus
• Genus Common Names = Buckeye, Horse Chestnut
• Number of Species in the Aesculus Genus = 19 and 8 hybrids

List of Buckeye, Horse Chestnut Trees, Aesculus Genus - All known species, taxa on Earth, organized by scientific Latin botanical name first and common names second.

Aesculus Genus Hybrids

Aesculus ×arnoldiana
Aesculus ×bushii
Aesculus ×carnea - Red horse chestnut
Aesculus ×hybrida
Aesculus ×marylandica
Aesculus ×mutabilis
Aesculus ×neglecta
Aesculus ×worlitzensis