AESCULUS californica. California buckeye, horsechestnut. The buckeyes are a genus of showy, boldly textured trees nearly forgotten in California (though one can still see some magnificent specimens, particularly of A. carnea, the red horsechestnut, in the most ancient sections of our older towns). Some of these are ultimately huge trees. Our one native species, on the other hand, varies in status from large shrub to (usually) small tree. I have taken to collecting and growing the seeds of plants in both categories. All have sturdy, well-branched trunks, with smooth bark which becomes quite silvery in age. At the shoot tips, in early spring, bundles of brilliant green leaves unfold and rapidly expand, darkening as they mature. The leaves are divided palmately into five to seven deeply veined leaflets, each up to 8" long. Long narrow clusters of irregular white to pale pink flowers with protruding stamens appear in late spring. Each cluster produces just one or a few large, pendant fruits which are actually quite decorative until they release their huge, shiny seeds in late fall. It has a distinctly shabby period in midsummer and early fall, as the leaves dry up and refuse to drop. A little judicious action with a broom can remedy this condition and expose the beautiful trunks and fruits. Sun or–at the expense of some flowers—light shade, most soils, moderate to occasional deep watering (this is ultimately one of our most drought-tolerant native trees). This material will be hardy to 10^oF. or less.