CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam SY0-101
The nuts contain high concentrations of a saponin-class toxin called aesculin, which is toxic to many animals including humans because it causes hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). The saponin can be eliminated by leaching the pulverized nuts in multiple changes of boiling water, to yield a wholesome starchy porridge once important to some Native American peoples. Some animals, notably deer and squirrels, are resistant to the toxins and can eat the nuts directly. An interesting side-note is that aesculin is a natural pH indicator which, when extracted turns from colorless to fluorescent blue under UV light in an acidic pH range. California buckeye Testking SY0-101 Aesculus californica is known to cause poisoning of honeybees from toxic nectar (native bee species not being affected). Other buckeye species are thought to have the same effect, but the toxins are diluted because the trees are not usually abundant enough in any one area. The wood is very pale whitish-brown, fairly soft and little-used. Uses include cheap furniture, boxes and firewood. In Britain and Ireland the game of conkers remains a common childhood pastime. In some cultures, the buckeye tree is thought to bring good luck. The Mexican buckeye is related to Aesculus, but is in a separate genus, Ungnadia. Extractives of the seeds have been shown to be useful for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia), is a small deciduous tree or shrub native to the southern and eastern parts of the United States, found from Illinois to Virginia in the north and from Texas to Florida in the south. It has number of local names, such as scarlet buckeye, woolly buckeye and firecracker plant. A red flower stalk A red flower stalk The Red Buckeye is a large shrub or small tree. It reaches a height of 5-8 m, often growing in a multi-stemmed form. Its leaves are opposite, and are usually composed of five elliptical serrated leaflets, each 10-15 cm long. It bears 10-17 cm long clusters of attractive dark red tubular flowers, Testking N10-003 each in April to May. The flowers are hermaphrodite. The smooth light brown fruits, about 3 cm in diameter, reach maturity in September and October. There are two varieties: * Aesculus pavia var. pavia: typical Red Buckeye. * Aesculus pavia var. flavescens: yellow-flowered Red Buckeye. The yellow-flowered variety, var. flavescens, is found in higher country in Texas, and hybrids with intermediate flower color occur. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds as well as bees. The fruits are rich in saponins, which are poisonous to humans, though not particularly dangerous because they are not easily ingested. The oils 70-290 Exam can be extracted to make soap, though this is not commercially viable. Ornamental cultivars such as the low-growing 'Humilis' have been selected for garden use. Red Buckeye has hybridised with Common Horse-chestnut (A. hippocastanum) in cultivation, the hybrid being named Red Horse-chestnut Aesculus × carnea. The hybrid is a medium-size tree to 20-25 m tall, intermediate between the parent species in most respects, but inheriting the red flower color from A. pavia. It is a popular tree in large gardens and parks, most commonly the selected cultivar 'Briotii'. Hybrids of Red Buckeye with Yellow Buckeye (A. flava) have also been found, and named Aesculus × hybrida.