Aesculus indica
| Aesculus indica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Aesculus indica, | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Sapindaceae |
| Genus: | Aesculus |
| Species: | A. indica |
| Binomial name | |
| Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Camb.) Hook. | |
Aesculus indica, the Indian horse-chestnut[1] or Himalayan horse chestnut, is a plant species in the Sapindaceae family.
Description
Aesculus indica is an attractive tree growing to about 30 meters (100 feet) with a spread of about 12 meters (39 feet). It is hardy to -15°C (5°F), USDA zones 7-9.[2] It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in October. The flowers are hermaphroditic and with plentiful white blossoms during May and June pollinated by bees. Its large leaves 10–20 cm long by 2–6 cm wide are also ornamental and the mature tree forms a beautiful round canopy.
Distribution
It is common along the Himalayan Lowlands, between Kashmir and Western Nepal at elevations between 900 and 3,000 metres.[3] In the British Isles it is popular in many parks and estates where it was introduced in the mid-19th century. It is also found in many parts of the USA.[2] The commercial collection of its seeds for flour production seems to have impacted on the natural distribution of this species.
Uses
Its leaves are used as cattle fodder in parts of Northern India. Its seeds are dried and ground into a bitter flour, called tattawakher. The bitterness is caused by saponins, which are rinsed out by thoroughly washing the flour during its preparation. The flour is often mixed with wheat flour to make chapatis[4] and also to make a halwa (Indian sweetmeat) and sometimes is served as a dalia, (a type of porridge or gruel) during fasting periods.
It is used in traditional Indian medicine, for the treatment of some skin diseases, rheumatism, as an astringent, acrid and narcotic, and in the relief of headaches.[4]
Its large leaves and flowers make it suitable for use as large-sized bonsai.[5]
References
- ↑ "BSBI List 2007" (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- 1 2 Aesculus indica Fact Sheet ST-63 http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/aesinda.pdf
- ↑ Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol. 8(2), April 2009, pp. 285-286. Ethnobotany of Indian horse chestnut (Aesculus indica) in Mandi district, http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/3963/1/IJTK%208(2)%20285-286.pdf
- 1 2 Plants and people of Nepal, By N. P. Manandhar, Sanjay Manandhar, Pg. 76
- ↑ D'Cruz, Mark. "Ma-Ke Bonsai Care Guide for Aesculus indica". Ma-Ke Bonsai. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
External links
Media related to Aesculus indica at Wikimedia Commons