Pachira aquatica is a tropical wetland tree of the mallow family Malvaceae,
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
native to Central and South America where it grows in swamps. It is known by

the common names Malabar chestnut, French Peanut, Guiana chestnut,
the common names Malabar chestnut, French Peanut, Guiana chestnut,

provision tree, saba nut, monguba, pumpo and is commercially sold under the names
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
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
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.
"Pachira aquatica" houseplant is in fact a similar species, P. glabra.

Description Pachira aquatica can grow up to 18 m in
Description Pachira aquatica can grow up to 18 m in

height in the wild. It has shiny green palmate leaves with lanceolate leaflets
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
plenty of sunlight, though it is important to avoid direct sunlight in

summer months, as the leaves may get sunburned.
summer months, as the leaves may get sunburned.

The fruit, a nut, is of a brownish colour and can measure up to 12 inches
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
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
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
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.
also be ground and made as a hot drink. The fruit is not eaten.

Taxonomy and naming The genus name is derived from a
Taxonomy and naming The genus name is derived from a

language spoken in Guyana. The species name is Latin for "aquatic". It is
language spoken in Guyana. The species name is Latin for "aquatic". It is

classified in the subfamily Bombacoideae of the family Malvaceae. Previously it
classified in the subfamily Bombacoideae of the family Malvaceae. Previously it

was assigned to Bombacaceae. The name "money tree" seems to refer to
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"
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
plant, took it home as an omen, and made money selling plants grown from its

seeds. Role in East Asian culture
seeds. Role in East Asian culture

In East Asia, Pachira aquatica is often referred to as the "money tree". The
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
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
Taiwanese truck driver first cultivated five small trees in a single flowerpot

with their trunks braided. The popularity of these ornamentals took off
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
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,
associated with good financial fortune and are typically seen in businesses,

sometimes with red ribbons or other auspicious ornamentation attached. The
sometimes with red ribbons or other auspicious ornamentation attached. The

trees play an important role in Taiwan's agricultural export economy with exports
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
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
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
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.
showy flowers, and a 6" green seed pod rather than 12" brown seed pod.

Notes References
Notes References

"Class effort gives Taiwan world leadership in 'money tree' exports."
"Class effort gives Taiwan world leadership in 'money tree' exports."

Taiwan Headlines reprint from United Daily News. 9 February 2006. Accessed 10
Taiwan Headlines reprint from United Daily News. 9 February 2006. Accessed 10

February 2007. "Fancy take on money trees puts Taiwan
February 2007. "Fancy take on money trees puts Taiwan

on the map." Taiwan Headlines reprint from Liberty Times. 23 March 2006.
on the map." Taiwan Headlines reprint from Liberty Times. 23 March 2006.

Accessed 10 February 2007. "Malabar Chestnut" at California Rare
Accessed 10 February 2007. "Malabar Chestnut" at California Rare

Fruit Growers Fruit Facts "Pachira aquatica" at FloriData
Fruit Growers Fruit Facts "Pachira aquatica" at FloriData

Van Wyk, Ben-Erik. Food Plants of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press,
Van Wyk, Ben-Erik. Food Plants of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press,

Inc. ISBN 0-88192-743-0 External links
Inc. ISBN 0-88192-743-0 External links

Pachira Aquatica Care
Pachira Aquatica Care