Pachira aquatica is a tropical wetland tree of the mallow family Malvaceae,
native to Central and South America where it grows in swamps. It is known by
the common names Malabar chestnut, French Peanut, Guiana chestnut,
provision tree, saba nut, monguba, pumpo and is commercially sold under the names
money tree and money plant. This tree is sometimes sold with a braided trunk and
is commonly grown as a houseplant, although more commonly what is sold as a
"Pachira aquatica" houseplant is in fact a similar species, P. glabra.
Description Pachira aquatica can grow up to 18 m in
height in the wild. It has shiny green palmate leaves with lanceolate leaflets
and smooth green bark. Its showy flowers have long, narrow petals that open like
a banana peel to reveal hairlike yellowish orange stamens. The tree is
cultivated for its edible nuts, which grow in a large, woody pod. The nuts are
light brown, striped with white. They are said to taste like peanuts, and can
be eaten raw, cooked, or ground into flour to make bread. The leaves and
flowers are also edible. The tree grows well as a tropical
ornamental in moist, frost-free areas, and can be started from seed or cutting.
It is a durable plant and adapts well to different conditions. The pachira needs
plenty of sunlight, though it is important to avoid direct sunlight in
summer months, as the leaves may get sunburned.
The fruit, a nut, is of a brownish colour and can measure up to 12 inches
in length and 2.5 inches in diameter. Seeds grow within until such time as the
nut bursts, sending the seeds forth and propagating. The nut is edible and often
eaten raw or roasted, with a flavor similar to a European chestnut; it may
also be ground and made as a hot drink. The fruit is not eaten.
Taxonomy and naming The genus name is derived from a
language spoken in Guyana. The species name is Latin for "aquatic". It is
classified in the subfamily Bombacoideae of the family Malvaceae. Previously it
was assigned to Bombacaceae. The name "money tree" seems to refer to
a story of its origin, where a poor man prayed for money, found this "odd"
plant, took it home as an omen, and made money selling plants grown from its
seeds. Role in East Asian culture
In East Asia, Pachira aquatica is often referred to as the "money tree". The
tree had long been popular as an ornamental in Japan. In 1986, a
Taiwanese truck driver first cultivated five small trees in a single flowerpot
with their trunks braided. The popularity of these ornamentals took off
in Japan and later much of the rest of East Asia. They are symbolically
associated with good financial fortune and are typically seen in businesses,
sometimes with red ribbons or other auspicious ornamentation attached. The
trees play an important role in Taiwan's agricultural export economy with exports
of NT$250 million in 2005. However, much of what is in cultivation sold as
Pachira aquatica is, in actuality, a similar species, P. glabra, which
develops a thick base at a younger age and has a smaller growth habit, less
showy flowers, and a 6" green seed pod rather than 12" brown seed pod.
Notes References
"Class effort gives Taiwan world leadership in 'money tree' exports."
Taiwan Headlines reprint from United Daily News. 9 February 2006. Accessed 10
February 2007. "Fancy take on money trees puts Taiwan
on the map." Taiwan Headlines reprint from Liberty Times. 23 March 2006.
Accessed 10 February 2007. "Malabar Chestnut" at California Rare
Fruit Growers Fruit Facts "Pachira aquatica" at FloriData
Van Wyk, Ben-Erik. Food Plants of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press,
Inc. ISBN 0-88192-743-0 External links
Pachira Aquatica Care