Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Sapindales>Hippocastanaceae>Aesculus flava Solander

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) leaves

Yellow Buckeye is a common large tree of the Mountains with palmately compound leaves.

Grayson Co., VA 5/31/2009.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) leaves

Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) leaves

Developing fruits.

Grayson Co., VA 5/31/2009.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) leaves

Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) leaves

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) flowers

The flowers are yellowish. The name flava means 'yellow' in Latin.

Clay Co., NC 5/13/06.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava)

A fruiting branch. The seeds are similar to those of other buckeyes - smooth dark brown with a large pale spot.

Formerly known as Aesculus octandra.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava)

Ripening nut.

Mt Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC 9/13/08.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) bark

The bark is pale gray-brown, smooth on younger trees, breaking into plates on older trees.

Clay Co., NC 5/13/06.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) bark

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) bark

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) trunk

Bark of a very large tree.

Clay Co., NC 5/20/07.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) tree

The form is usually tall and narrow. Trees are often multi-trunked.

Haywood Co., NC 5/9/08.

More information:
NC State Fact Sheets: Trees | Poisonous Plants
USDA PLANTS database
U Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides