Buckeye

Ohio buckeye

buckeye, any of about six species of North American trees and shrubs in the genus Aesculus of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). The name refers to the resemblance of the nutlike seed, which has a pale patch on a shiny red-brown surface, to the eye of a deer. Like many of the related Eurasian horse chestnuts (also of the genus Aesculus), a number of buckeye species are valued as ornamental trees for their handsome candelabra-like flower clusters. Both the young foliage and the seeds are poisonous.