253 



bluffs of streams with the species just named. In the lower Wabash 

 Valley especially in Posey County it was a rare tree, or entirely absent. 



Remarks. In our area the buckeye is the very first tree to put out 

 its leaves. On this account in early Spring it can be easily distinguished 

 in the forest. This character together with its large clusters of flowers 

 which appear early are features which recommend it for shade tree and 

 ornamental planting. The tree has now become so rare in Indiana 

 as to have no economic importance. 



2. Aesculus octandra Marshall. BUCKEYE. SWEET BUCKEYE. 

 Plate 117. Medium to large sized trees with smooth bark which on old 

 trees becomes more or less scaly. This tree closely resembles the pre- 

 ceding from which it can be easily distinguished- by the following charac- 

 ters. Its smoother and lighter colored bark; by the entire under surface 

 of the leaves remaining permanently pubescent; the hairs more or less 

 fulvous; by the included anthers; and by its smooth capsule. 



Distribution. Western Pennsylvania, westward along the Ohio to 

 Iowa, south to Georgia and west to Louisiana and Texas. In Indiana it 

 is confined to a few counties along the Ohio River. The records of 

 McCaslin for Jay and Phinney for Delaware counties are doubtless 

 errors in determination. The writer has diligently tried to extend the 

 range of this species in Indiana and has found it only in Dearborn, 

 Jefferson, Clark and Crawford Counties, and in no place more than a 

 mile from the Ohio River. No doubt under favorable situations it 

 found its way to a greater distance from the River. On account of the 

 poisonous character of its fruit, it has been almost exterminated, and 

 only along the precipitous bluffs of the Ohio River are trees yet to be 

 found. Doubtless its exact range in our area can never be determined. 

 Dr. Drake 1 minutely described this species and remarks: "This species 

 delights in rich hills, and is seldom seen far from the Ohio River. It 

 frequently arrives at the height of 100 feet and the diameter of four feet." 



Remarks. The wood is soft, white and resembles the sap wood of 

 the tulip tree for which wood it is commonly sold. Too rare in Indiana 

 to be of economic importance. Young 2 reported a purple flowered form 

 of buckeye from Jefferson County, but since no specimen was preserved 

 and the size of the plant is not given, it will not be considered here. The 

 form was reported as rare under the name of Aesculus flava var. pur- 

 purascens. 



!Drake: Picture of Cincinnatus:79:1815. 



zYoung: Botany of Jefferson County, Ind. Geo. Surv. Ind. Kept. 2-255:1871. 



