Chinese horse chestnut

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese horse-chestnut
• Wilson's Horse-chestnut

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aesculus chinensis var. chinensis
• Aesculus wilsonii
• Pawia chinensis
• Aesculus chekiangensis
• Aesculus chinensis var. chekiangensis
• Aesculus chinensis var. wilsonii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Sapindaceae and belongs to the genus Aesculus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. In China, it is widely distributed throughout the South-Central territories. Its presence is also well-documented in the North-Central regions of China. Furthermore, the species can be found growing within the Southeast parts of China. Finally, its habitat extends into the Indo-China region, specifically within Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Aesculus chinensis is characterized by a robust growth form, specifically categorized as a tree, which displays a woody structure. As a terrestrial organism, it functions as an independent species, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and maintaining a self-supporting habit rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aesculus chinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in temperate deciduous woody species that utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during daylight hours. In terms of its structural and mechanical properties, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 504 mg/cm³, reflecting the internal cellular composition and the density of its xylem and phloem tissues which support its upright growth habit and nutrient transport.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

504 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aesculus chinensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of natural products
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Aesculus chinensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aescin, IB, Moretenol, OLEANOLIC ACID, Saponins.

Aescin

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Nature communications
4. Plant communications

IB

1. Journal of natural products

Moretenol

1. Plant communications

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Plant communications

Saponins

1. Frontiers in plant science

aesculin

1. Nature communications

escin Ia

1. Journal of natural products

isoescin Ia

1. Journal of natural products

triterpenoids

1. Plant communications

Conditions

Aesculus chinensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include sports injuries.

Sports injuries

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Preparations

Aesculus chinensis has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seeds, dried mature seeds, ethanol extract of the seeds of Aesculus chinensis.

Seeds

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Dried mature seeds

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ethanol extract of the seeds of aesculus chinensis

1. Journal of natural products