Ohio Buckeye

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

2

Native Status

❌ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

SW

CEC Eco-Regions

8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.2 – Central USA Plains, 8.2.4 – Eastern Corn Belt Plains

Rarity Notes

Critically imperiled in Ontario (S1) and nationally (N1 Canada). Globally secure (G5). Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Range centered in Ohio/Indiana; Ontario populations at the northeastern limit. Historically more abundant in mixed mesophytic forests but reduced by landowner eradication due to livestock toxicity concerns.

S22 S26 S41

Rarity Ranks

QC SNA – Not Applicable, ON S1 – Critically Imperiled

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Ohio buckeye is a moist-site tree most commonly found along river bottoms and streambank soils on Alfisols. In the mixed mesophytic forests of Indiana, it grows with sugar maple, beech, American elm, and black walnut, typically comprising 2-10% of stems. It reaches its northern native limit in southern Michigan and is critically imperiled (S1) in Ontario. Although shade tolerant enough to persist in beech-maple understory, it develops best as isolated individuals in openings along streambanks.

S41 S7 S22 S10

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier, Pollinator Attractor

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S10 keyword match: prickl (supporting signal only); S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 19 bee associations (threshold=3)]

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

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Category

Antirheumatic, Ear Medicine, Antispasmodic, Emetic

S28 Delaware/Mohegan antirheumatic, ear medicine; Kiowa emetic; S29 antispasmodic

Notes

Delaware and Mohegan peoples carried nuts in the pocket for rheumatism. Delaware used ground nut infusion mixed with sweet oil for earache. Kiowa used infusion of fruit interior as emetic. Seeds also used as fish poison by Delaware. Bark extract historically used as cerebro-spinal irritant. Minute seed doses used internally for spasmodic coughs and asthma.

S28 S29

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

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❌ Not Edible   

Foraging Notes

Seeds contain toxic saponins and glycosides but were historically processed by Indigenous peoples through slow-roasting followed by slicing and rinsing in running water for 2-5 days to leach toxins. This extensive processing also removes most minerals and nutrients. Not a practical food source.

S29 S28 S4

Toxicity

☠️ High Toxicity

All parts are poisonous, rated Severe by USDA. Contains the glycoside aesculin, saponin aescin, and possibly alkaloids. Symptoms include muscle weakness, paralysis, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and stupor. Seeds and young foliage are especially dangerous to livestock; Indiana landowners historically eradicated the species to protect cattle. Seeds and fruits are attractive to children and may be fatal if eaten.

S11 S4 S41

Seed Source

• Aylmer collected
• Experimental Farm
• Arboquebecium