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Aesculus indica
  • Indian Horse Chestnut

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Aesculus genus in the family Hippocastanaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Aesculus indica has 0 edible uses listed
Aesculus indica has 0 material uses listed
Aesculus indica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The seed is rich in saponins[1][2]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a gruel[3][4][5][6][7]. The seed is roasted then eaten in Nepal[8]. It is also dried then ground into a flour and used with wheat flour to develop the flavour when making bread[8]. The seed is quite large, about 35mm in diameter[9], and is easily harvested. Unfortunately it also contains toxic saponins and these need to be removed before it can be eaten. The seed is used as an emergency food in times of famine when all else fails[10]. It is dried and ground into a powder, this is then soaked in water for about 12 hours before use in order to remove the bitter saponins and can be used to make a 'halva'[9]. It is estimated that mature trees yield about 60kg of seeds per annum in the wild[9]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

Saponins in the seed are used as a soap substitute[11]. The saponins can be easily obtained by chopping the seed into small pieces and infusing them in hot water. This water can then be used for washing the body, clothes etc. Its main drawback is a lingering odour of horse chestnuts[K]. Wood - soft, close grained. Used for construction, cases, spoons, cups etc[5][6][7].

Unknown part

Soap
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The seed is astringent, acrid and narcotic[8].

An oil from the seed is applied externally in the treatment of skin disease and rheumatism[12][13][8]. The juice of the bark is also used to treat rheumatism[8]. A paste made from the oil cake is applied to the forehead to relieve headaches[8].

The seed is given to horses suffering from colic[12][13]. It is also used as an anthelmintic on horses to rid them of intestinal parasites[8].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Stomachic
Astringent
Acrid
Narcotic
Anthelmintic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown outdoors or in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[14][15]. The seed germinates almost immediately and must be given protection from severe weather[16]. The seed has a very limited viability and must not be allowed to dry out. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing and even after this may still not be viable[15][17]. It is best to sow the seed with its 'scar' downwards[16]. If sowing the seed in a cold frame, pot up the seedlings in early spring and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Aesculus indica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a deep loamy well-drained soil but is not too fussy[18][14][19]. Succeeds on chalk[14]. Dislikes dry soils[14].

This species does very well in south-west England, growing best in areas where the minimum temperatures do not fall below about -5°c[19]. Young shoots in the spring can be cut back by late frosts in low-lying districts[14][20]. Trees cast quite a dense shade[9].

Most members of this genus transplant easily, even when fairly large[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Aesculus indica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Aesculus indica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Aesculus indica
Genus
Aesculus
Family
Hippocastanaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Medicinal uses
[8][12][13]
Material uses & Functions
[11][5][6][7]
Botanic
[14][21][19]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    30 x 12 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aesculus indica2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    2. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber (1948-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press (1945-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.78.8 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Parmar. C. and Kaushal. M.K. Wild Fruits of the Sub-Himalayan Region. Kalyani Publishers. New Delhi. (1982-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. (1993-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 ? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society (1982-00-00)
    17. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    18. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.119.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    20. ? ? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society (1984-00-00)
    21. ? Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press (1984-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Aesculus_indica&oldid=74800"
    Facts about "Aesculus indica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyHippocastanaceae +
    Belongs to genusAesculus +
    Has binomial nameAesculus indica +
    Has common nameIndian Horse Chestnut +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partSeed +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageAesculus indica2.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useSoap + and Wood +
    Has mature height30 +
    Has mature width12 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Stomachic +, Astringent +, Acrid +, Narcotic + and Anthelmintic +
    Has primary imageAesculus indica2.JPG +
    Has search nameaesculus indica + and indian horse chestnut +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameAesculus indica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Aesculus indica +, Aesculus indica +, Aesculus indica +, Aesculus indica +, Aesculus indica +, Aesculus indica +, Aesculus indica +, Aesculus indica + and Aesculus indica +