Family: Hippocastanaceae
The California buckeye is a small flowering tree.
Native to California’s Mediterranean climate zones, California buckeye thrives in the dryer parts of Hawaii. A deciduous tree, palmately compound leaves fall and regrow every year. Extremely fragrant flowers are born on a spike during Spring. Nuts are toxic to humans unless processed correctly. Native Americans used the nuts to stupefy fish to harvest their meat. Squirrels and chipmunks are the only animals that use this tree for food. The pollen and nectar are also toxic to bees, so don’t plant near apiaries. However, the wood is useful for making bow drills, a primitive fire starting tool.
Plant Uses:
- Fragrant
- Ornamental
- Specimen
- Woodworking
Plant Dangers:
- Toxic to animals and humans
High Risk Traits:
- Toxic to animals (including bees) and humans.
- Allelopathic, inhibits other plant growth.
- Host for pests and pathogens.
- Increases fire hazard due to early leaf litter.
- Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.
- Dispersed intentionally by humans.
- Resprouts vigorously after damage or fire.
- History of introduction outside native range.
- Congeneric species are known weeds.
Low Risk Traits:
- Climate Specific: Requires a Mediterranean climate (not tropical/subtropical).
- Not Naturalized: No evidence of establishment outside native range.
- Not a Weed: No weedy history in agriculture or ecology.
- Sun-Dependent: Cannot establish in shaded, closed-canopy forests.
- Poor Reproduction:
- Low seed production (~100/tree/year).
- No seed bank (seeds die within a year).
- No vegetative reproduction.
- Limited Dispersal: Large seeds dispersed only by gravity, water, or caching animals; not by wind, birds, or as a contaminant.
- Controllable with herbicides.
