Pachira
aquatica
(Chestnut, French Peanut, Provision Tree, Guyana Chestnut,
Malabar Chestnut, Money Plant, Bombax glabrum, Bombax macrocarpum)
Origin: Central and south America
Family: Bombacaceae
Light: Sun-part shade/Light shade
Height: 10-15'
Spacing: 2'
Blooms: Showy, night fragrance, long white narrow petals peels to reveal yellow stamens, edible
Foliage: Evergreen, green, palmate, shiny with lanceolate leaflets , edible
Fruit: Oval-shape, light brown with white stripe, large, woody, cocoa-like nut, edible, nutritious
Trunk: Bark smooth, green
Soil: Well-drained, drought tolerant in pots
Water: Regular
Uses: Bonsai, houseplant, container, food, indoor, ornamental
Propagation: Seeds, layering, softwood cuttings
Comments: Pachira
aquatica or Chestnut or French Peanut or Provision Tree or Guyana Chestnut or
Malabar Chestnut or Money Plant or Bombax glabrum or Bombax macrocarpum is a tender tropical wetland tree with an upright growth habit. It is a native of central and south America. Pachira aquatica produces fragrant white blossoms at night, followed later by light brown, large, edible oval-shaped, cocoa-like nuts. When allowed to ripen on tree, the nut breaks open releasing the seeds, enabling it to self sow. Money Plant flowers are edible as food. The shiny green leaves can also be eaten. French Peanut is often sold in stores in braided form or as a bonsai. Provision Tree is also easily propagated by means of air layering or from softwood cuttings. Malabar Chestnut performs best in a frost-free, sunny to part shade or light shade area. Bombax glabrum can also be container cultivated as an indoor plant. Place plant in indirect light. Money Plant makes an excellent specimen plant in the landscape. In its native habitat, it is a tall tree often found growing in swampy lands. Butterflies, birds and bats are attracted to this tree. The Chinese considered Pachira aquatica as a Money Tree which can bring good luck and fortune to the owner and it is auspicious to have this plant in their place of business or office. Bombax macrocarpum is popularly sought by many hobbyists not only for its prosperity, ornamental beauty and incredible fragrance but for its low maintenance and drought tolerance. This beautiful 'feng sui' plant is easy to grow and is one of Taiwan's top exports.
USDA Zones: 9-11
JennysGarden.com...Plants
images
and gardening descriptions of Pachira aquatica (Chestnut, French Peanut, Provision Tree, Guyana Chestnut, Malabar Chestnut, Money Plant, Bombax glabrum, Bombax macrocarpum) growing in Jenny's Garden
