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Horse-chestnuts

Aesculus · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (7 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Horse-chestnuts, scientifically known as Aesculus, is a genus of deciduous trees celebrated for both their ornamental beauty and therapeutic potential. Beyond their striking blooms, certain species offer potent medicinal properties, particularly in managing venous insufficiency and swelling, making them a significant subject in traditional and modern phytotherapy studies.

Family
Sapindaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Seed
Common names
Buckeye · Horse-Chestnut · 3 more
Scientific synonyms
Calothyrsus · Paviana · 5 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Aesculus

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Castaños
  • Castaños de Indias

German:

  • Rosskastanien
  • Kahle Rosskastanie
  • Roßkastanie
  • Kahle Roßkastanie
  • Rosskastanie
  • Rosskastanien

French:

  • Pavier
  • Marronnier
  • Marronnier
  • Maronnier

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 and the family Sapindaceae, it is classified under the genus Aesculus.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Sapindales
Family Sapindaceae
Genus Aesculus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be found throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the center of the continent, the species is also established within Middle Europe. Specifically, it is documented to grow in the territories of Austria and Belgium. Finally, its geographical range extends further into the Middle European regions of Czechia and Slovakia.

Region Area
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Middle Europe Hungary
Middle Europe Poland
Middle Europe Switzerland
Southwestern Europe France

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

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

Plant parts reported in Aesculus
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Seed 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Seed

  1. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Aesculus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Escin, Capsanthin, beta-Escin.

Chemicals reported in Aesculus
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Escin 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Capsanthin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
beta-Escin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Escin

  1. Arzneimittel-Forschung
  2. Die Pharmazie

Capsanthin

  1. Current drug research reviews

beta-Escin

  1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Conditions

Aesculus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include venous insufficiency.

Conditions investigated for Aesculus
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Venous insufficiency 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Venous insufficiency

  1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)