Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut, popular name for various trees and shrubs (genus Aesculus) of the family Hippcastanaceae. In winter the twigs bear sticky buds that develop into conspicuous leaves and big flowers. In the fall large, shiny seeds similar to chestnuts are released from fleshy coats. The Ohio buckeye (A. glabra) is the state tree. Horse chestnut wood is light and strong and is used for boxes and coffins.