Aesculus parviflora Walter

A small tree growing up to 4 m high and spreading to 4 m across. It has many stems. It forms new growth from the roots producing a clump. The leaves have 5 large leaflets. The veins are distinct. The leaves are downy on the underside. The flowers occur in spidery spikes. The petals are small and white and the stamens are long and pinkish.

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.

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.

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.