Buckeyes are large, shiny brown seeds that can be found underneath Aesculus trees in September. According to legend, carrying a pocketful of buckeyes brings good luck. Early Native Americans called these seeds buckeyes for their resemblance to the eyes of male deer, known as bucks.
There are several species of buckeye that can be grown in Missouri, including:
• Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra): This is the most common buckeye tree in Missouri. It can grow up to 40 feet tall and has greenish-yellow flowers and light brown fruits.
• Yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava): This tree is similar to the Ohio buckeye, but it has yellow flowers and larger fruits.
• Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia): This tree is a small tree or shrub that can grow up to 20 feet tall. It has red flowers and smooth, light brown fruits.
• Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora): This shrub is a showy summer-flowering shrub that can grow up to 12 feet tall. It has white flowers with red filaments and smooth, yellow-green fruits.
• European horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum): This tree is often confused with buckeye trees, but it is not native to North America. It can grow up to 75 feet tall and has white flowers with a red blotch at the base. All buckeye trees are susceptible to Guignardia leaf blotch disease, which can cause brown lesions on the leaves. They can also be affected by leaf scorch, which is caused by drought.
Buckeye seeds are poisonous to humans and cattle, but deer may nibble on them. If you want to collect buckeyes for good luck, you will need to do so before the squirrels get to them!
Photo Credit: pexels-mayukh-karmakar
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Government & Policy