Japanese horse chestnut, Toti-No-Ki
Aesculus turbinata

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 20 m tall and spreads to 12 m wide. The leaves are larger than common horse chestnut. The leaves turn orange in autumn. The fruit lack spines or prickles. The seed are 2.5-3 cm across.

There are 15 Aesculus species. Also put in the family Hippocastanaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in mountains and valleys all over Japan. It does best on a deep loamy well drained soil. When dormant the plant is very hardy to cold. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The young leaves are recorded as eaten cooked. The seeds were processed into flour during food shortages after World War 2.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Fresh seed which has not been allowed to dry out should be used. Seed germinates quickly. Trees transplant fairly easily.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aesculus dissimilis;