The Ohio Buckeye tree, Aesculus glabra, derives the name from its large brown seeds, which resemble the eyes of the white-tailed deer. In the spring it produces greenish yellow flowers with protruding stamens, followed by prickly fruits. It is a handsome tree with attractive foliage.
The Ohio Buckeye prefers shady conditions in its youth, but grows in full sun to full shade from youth through maturity. The Ohio buckeye is also known as American buckeye, fetid buckeye, and stinking buck-eye. It derives its unflattering common names from the disagreeable odor that emanates when the leaves are crushed.The leaves are dark green above and paler below. This deciduous tree is a good shade tree.