Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica (pronunciation: puh-KY-ruh a-KWA-ti-kuh), also known as the money tree, Malabar chestnut, or Guiana chestnut, is a tropical wetland tree species in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The species name is derived from the Latin words 'aqua' meaning water, and 'ticus' meaning pertaining to, referring to the tree's habitat.
Etymology
The genus name, Pachira, is derived from a language spoken in Guyana, where the tree is native. The specific epithet, aquatica, is Latin for 'water-loving' and indicates the tree's preference for wet conditions.
Description
Pachira aquatica can grow up to 18 meters (59.1 feet) in height in the wild. It has shiny green palmate leaves with lanceolate leaflets and green bark. Its showy flowers have long, narrow petals that open like a banana peel to reveal hairlike yellowish orange stamens. The tree produces large, woody pods containing seeds that can be roasted and eaten.
Cultivation and uses
Pachira aquatica is often cultivated for its edible nuts, which taste like peanuts, and for ornamental purposes. It is also popular in bonsai culture, where it is commonly known as the "money tree" due to its supposed financial luck-bringing properties.
Related terms
- Malvaceae: The family to which Pachira aquatica belongs.
- Bonsai: The Japanese art of growing small trees in containers.
- Guyana: The country where the tree is native.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pachira aquatica
- Wikipedia's article - Pachira aquatica
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