It was very windy over the weekend, so a lot of autumn leaves fell to the ground,
together with quite a few horse chestnuts "ripe for the picking" now. Looking them up in Wikipeda I see that they're actually not even good for horses to eat, though.
"The seeds, especially those that are young and fresh, are slightly poisonous, containing alkaloid saponins and glucosides. Although not dangerous to touch, they cause sickness when eaten; consumed by horses, they can cause tremors and lack of coordination."
Still, even though they're not really "good" for anything, I can rarely resist picking up some freshly fallen ones from the ground, this time of year. No reason except that I've always done that. Never to eat - only to look at and feel, and maybe put two or three in my pocket to take home. Just because they're smooth and shiny - and confirm that autumn is here.
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| Aesculus hippocastanum |
Maybe put a few in a pretty bowl and set it out for fall.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that they are good for tanning, though I don't know anyone who actually tans leather at home anymore. I've also heard that they are good to make dye for clothing out of. That too, is a lost art. maybe Ginny has a good plan, put them in a bowl and enjoy their beauty.
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