Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Horse Chestnut): In Vitro Culture and Production of Aescin

Aesculus hippocastanum L. family Hippocastanaceae is a large deciduous tree up to 25–30 m high with a broad crown (Fig. 1). It is distributed in parts of the Balkan peninsula (Yugoslavia, Greece, Albania) and in one area in eastern Bulgaria (Tutin et al. 1968). It was introduced into central Europe in the 16th century and was extensively planted for ornament or shade in European and non-European countries. It is locally naturalized in western and central Europe. The fruit is a large, fleshy, spiny capsule, dehiscing into two to three valves on reaching full ripeness. It contains one to four shiny brown seeds.