Horse Chestnut
- Horse chestnut is native to the Balkan Peninsula. It was first introduced to the UK from Turkey in the late 16th century and widely planted. The flowers provide a rich source of nectar and pollen for insects, particularly bees.
- The most famous use of horse chestnut is in the game of conkers. The first record of the game is from the Isle of Wight in 1848. Other uses of the conkers include medicines, as additives in shampoos, and as a starch substitute. Chemicals extracted from conkers can be used to treat strains and bruises. There’s hearsay that if you place conkers around your house it will keep spiders away, but there’s no scientific proof that this is the case.