Aesculus hippocastanum

Aesculus hippocastanum, commonly known as the horse chestnut, is a species of flowering plant in the soapberry and lychee family Sapindaceae. Native to the Balkans, it is widely cultivated throughout the temperate world. The horse chestnut is a large deciduous tree, growing to a height of up to 36 metres (118 feet) with a dome-shaped crown with dense branches. It is best known for its showy white flowers and inedible nuts, which are commonly referred to as "conkers." The tree is often planted for its aesthetic value and is a popular choice for urban landscaping due to its tolerance of pollution and compacted soil. In Hebrew, it is known as סוסן פרא (susán prá), while in French it is called marronnier d'Inde, and in German, Gewöhnliche Rosskastanie. The horse chestnut has a variety of uses, including medicinal, with extracts from its seeds, leaves, and bark being used to treat ailments such as chronic venous insufficiency. However, all parts of the plant contain the toxin esculin, which can be harmful if ingested in large quantities.