Aesculus hippocastanum is the only UK member of the sapindaceae (soapberry, or lychee family), a group of trees, vines or herbs, found in both tropical and temperate regions. Leaves are usually compound, pinnate or palmate, and they lack stipules. Flowers have four or five petals, between four and ten stamens (eight is most common), and they occur in panicular clusters. Fruits are often edible; they may be berries, nuts or other capsules.
