Alejandro Bayer Tamayo from Armenia, Colombia · CC BY-SA 2.0
About
A popular ornamental tree, *Pachira aquatica* is known by several common names, including Malabar chestnut and French peanut, and is often sold as a houseplant. It is notable for its large, showy flowers and its edible nuts, which have a flavor similar to a European chestnut.
Field notes
Morphology
The tree can grow up to 23 m tall with a diameter of 70 cm at breast height. It features shiny green palmate leaves with lanceolate leaflets up to 30 cm in length, and smooth green bark that is brown through gray and slightly cracked. Showy flowers are greenish-yellow or cream-colored, with long, narrow petals up to 32 cm long, and produce large, woody, egg-shaped capsules that can weigh up to 1.5 kg.
Distribution & habitat
Native to tropical wetland areas in Central and South America.
Cultivation notes
The tree thrives in moist, frost-free areas and adapts well to different conditions, requiring bright light but not direct sunlight. It tolerates partial shade and can grow in common potting soil or hydroponic systems. The nuts are considered edible, with a flavor similar to a European chestnut, though they contain compounds that are toxic to rats and potentially dangerous to humans.
History & etymology
The species name, *aquatica*, is Latin for "aquatic." The genus name is derived from a language spoken in Guyana. The common name "money tree" is believed to refer to a story of its origin.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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