Chandigarh Forests
Department of Forest & Wildlife
UT Administration
Chandigarh
Department of Forest & Wildlife
|
Division
|
Angiosperms |
|
Class
|
Dicotledons |
|
Subclass |
Polypetalae |
|
Series |
Disciflorae |
|
Order |
Sapindales |
|
Family
|
Hippocastanaceae |
|
Genus
|
Aesculus |
|
Species
|
assamica |
|
Etymology: |
Derived from the Greek word esca meaning food; referring to the food value of the Kernels as a flour was ground from the Kernels of some of the species; commonly known as “Horse chestnut”. Aesculus is also a latin name of an oak having edible acorns. |
|
Botanical name
|
Aesculus assamica Griff. |
|
Local/Trade names:
|
Eastern Himalayan Horse Chestnut |
|
Conservation status:
|
Planted in Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. Wild in North-east India. |
|
Digonestic features: |
Leaves with 7 lobes; seed big. |
|
Description: |
A large deciduous tree with a hemispherical crown. Bark deep brown, shining, with irregular patches of grey-brown. Leaves digitately compound; leaflets upto 30 cm long, obtusely serrulate. Flowers showy, white with yellow or pink tinge, in upright terminal panicles. Fruit a large leathery capsule, loculicidally 2-3 – valved. Seed solitary, 2.5-3.5 cm across. |
|
Phenology: |
Fls.: February – Apr. Frts.: Aug. |
|
Distribution:
|
North-eastern region of India. |
|
Where to see it: |
Gate No. 2. |
|
Uses: |
Bark employed as a fish-poison. Wood used for making cups, plates, vases, and toys. Seed yield a fatty oil. |
