Description

I'm selling over 600 + kinds of seeds ( and also live plants during the warmer months ) so check my other auctions . You are bidding on 5 SCARLET BUCKEYE NUTS - Aesculus pavia 'Splendens' . See all my other buckeye and horse chestnuts listed . Also known as Spendens Buckeye or flame red buckeye . Perhaps the most handsome of the flowering Buckeyes, this is an unusual plant which has impressive, long (10 - 20 cm) panicles of dark purplish / scarlet flowers in late spring / early summer. A small, low branched tree or large shrub that develops a rounded top with dark green lustrous foliage. Width: 20'-25' Height: 20' Fruit : Smooth, light brown, globular (1-2” diameter) seed capsules encase 1-3 shiny seeds called buckeyes that ripen in the fall. The shiny nuts are toxic to humans. Hardiness: Winter hardy to USDA Zone: 4 to 8 Medicinal use : The powdered bark is hypnotic and odontalgic. It is used in the treatment of ulcers. A poultice of the powdered seeds has been used in the treatment of cancer tumors and infections, and as a salve for sores. An infusion of the roots has been used as a bath in the treatment of dyspepsia. Edible parts : Seed - cooked. It can be dried and ground into a powder and used as a gruel. The seed is quite large, about 25 mm in diameter, and is easily harvested. Unfortunately, the seed is also rich in saponins and these need to be removed before it can be eaten. The seed needs to be leached of toxins before it becomes safe to eat - the Indians would do this by slow-roasting the nuts (which would have rendered the saponins harmless) and then cutting them into thin slices, putting them into a cloth bag and rinsing them in a stream for 2 - 5 days. Most of the minerals etc. would also have been leached out by this treatment. Other uses of : Saponins in the seed and roots are a soap substitute. 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 odor of horse chestnuts. See my store for 600+ seeds , live plants ( during the warmer months ) and over 300+ books on plants and gardening . I add new items every day and combine shipping whenever possible .