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Buckeye Family California Buckeye Feb-June Forested Slopes |
Hippocastanaceae Aesculus californica "Latin for name of some oak" "Of California" |
This many branched tree, some would call a shrub except for its size, is common on forested areas and canyons. It is a plant that has seemed to thrive in California's dry summer climate by leafing out as early as February and dropping its leaves midway through the hot dry summer. The 6" white flower panicles appear in April or May. After the leaves drop, the seed pods continue to develop inside a greenish pod, producing a large round nut looking like a chestnut. It is inedible for humans, but squirrels do eat it.
