Yellow Buckeye
Aesculus flava
- Native to:
- United States
Schlurcher
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Genus:
- Aesculus
- Species:
- Aesculus flava
- USDA Symbol:
- AEFL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 2400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cameraria aesculisella, Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Claypole's Zeiraphera (Zeiraphera claypoleana)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers deep, fertile soils in native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds lose viability quickly and should be sown fresh. Scarification or nicking the seed coat before cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 120 days.
Source: npn.rngr.net