California Buckeye (also known as California Horse-chestnut) is a large shrub or small tree. It is typically multi-trunked and spreads out, with a crown as broad as it is high. California Buckeye is a species in the Sapindaceae family that is endemic to California; it is the only buckeye native to the state.
California Buckeye has gray bark that is often coated with lichens or mosses. It has dark green leaves that can be prone to damage from both spring freezing or snow and summer heat. It tends to leaf out in early spring, followed by creamy-white to pale pink-flower spikes. Some say the flowers resemble candles from afar and butterflies love them!
It has large, shiny round nut-like fruit that appear in late summer and drop in late fall to early winter. Be careful when using this plant in the garden, because all parts of the fruits are toxic.
This plant is very drought tolerant and does well on dry slopes, but looks better with some water. Native (white-flowered) varieties seem to have lower water requirements and are tolerant of recycled water.