Difference between revisions of "Pachira aquatica"
(template, CRDG) |
|||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | {{ | + | __NOTOC__{{Plantbox |
− | |||
| name = ''Pachira aquatica'' | | name = ''Pachira aquatica'' | ||
+ | | common_names = Malabar Chestnut, Guiana Chestnut, Guyana Chestnut, Provision tree, Saba Nut | ||
+ | | growth_habit = evergreen tree | ||
+ | | high = ?m (10-60 ft) | ||
+ | | wide = <!--- 65cm (25 inches) --> | ||
+ | | origin = S Mexico to Brazil | ||
+ | | poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous --> | ||
+ | | lifespan = perennial | ||
+ | | exposure = <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) --> | ||
+ | | water = <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak --> | ||
+ | | features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive --> | ||
+ | | hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc --> | ||
+ | | bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers --> | ||
+ | | usda_zones = 9b-11 | ||
+ | | sunset_zones = <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available --> | ||
+ | | color = IndianRed | ||
| image = Pachira aquatica2.jpg | | image = Pachira aquatica2.jpg | ||
− | | regnum = | + | | image_width = 180px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical --> |
− | | divisio = | + | | image_caption = <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias --> |
− | | classis = | + | | regnum = Plantae |
− | | ordo = | + | | divisio = Magnoliophyta |
− | | familia = | + | | classis = Magnoliopsida |
− | | genus = | + | | ordo = Malvales |
− | | species = | + | | familia = Bombacaceae |
− | | | + | | genus = Pachira |
− | | | + | | species = aquatica |
+ | | subspecies = | ||
+ | | cultivar = | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | Growth Habit: The Malabar chestnut is a very showy evergreen tree with greenish bark that can grow to 60 ft. in the tropics. In California the growth is more like 10 to 15 ft. tall with a spread of 8 to 10 feet. | ||
− | + | Foliage: The shiny, bright green, alternate palmately compound leaves of the Malabar chestnut grow to about 12 inches long and are quickly shed. They are larger and showier than Chorisia speciosa, the popular floss-silk tree. Young leaves and flowers are cooked and used as a vegetable. | |
− | + | Flowers: The petals of the very large creamy white flowers of the Malabar chestnut curl back to the base of the flower, leaving only the spectacular clusters of 3 to 4 inch cream-white stamens. | |
− | |||
− | The | + | Fruit: The five-valved fruit of Malabar chestnut is an ovoid, woody green pod which may reach 4 to 12 inches in length and 2 to 2-1/2 inches in diameter, bearing some resemblance to kapok or silk floss seed pods. The tightly packed seeds (nuts) inside enlarge until the pod bursts and the seed fall to the ground. The rounded seeds are without floss and 1/2 inch or larger in diameter. They are edible raw or roasted. |
− | + | Adaption: Tropical estuaries are the native habitat of the Malabar chestnut, so it is perhaps best suited to Hawaii and southern Florida. Even so, the plant also grows well in the milder parts of southern California. Several handsome specimens are thriving in the Quail Gardens collection near Encinitas, Calif., which has more cold and wind than many home gardens. The plant will tolerate brief exposure to temperatures as low as 28° F, but may drop some or most of its leaves. Malabar chestnuts make attractive potted plants and add an attractive tropical note to patios and sun rooms. | |
− | |||
− | == | + | :''More information about this species can be found on the [[Pachira|genus page]].'' |
− | < | + | |
+ | ==Cultivation== | ||
+ | {{monthbox | ||
+ | | color = IndianRed | ||
+ | | name = <!--- type name of plant just to the right of the equal sign on the left --> | ||
+ | | jan = | ||
+ | | feb = | ||
+ | | mar = | ||
+ | | apr = | ||
+ | | may = | ||
+ | | jun = | ||
+ | | jul = | ||
+ | | aug = | ||
+ | | sep = | ||
+ | | oct = | ||
+ | | nov = | ||
+ | | dec = | ||
+ | | notes = | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | Location: A frost-free location with some protection from hot, drying winds is the best choice for the plant. It will take full sun to partial shade. Overall, the tree is a handsome landscape addition. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Soils: Malabar chestnuts are not overly fussy about soil as long as it is well drained. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Irrigation: The Malabar chestnut needs consistent and regular watering, although logic would suggest that in California the plant should be kept on the dry side during the cold winter months. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Fertilization: Malabar chestnuts need only a light monthly fertilizing with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer during the warm months. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Pruning: The Malabar chestnut seldom needs pruning. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Harvest: The nuts of the Malabar chestnut are harvested when the seed pods burst. The raw nuts taste like peanuts and will keep for months in a cool, dry place. Roasted or fried in oil they have the flavor of chestnuts, and can be ground into a flour for bread baking. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Propagation=== | ||
+ | The tree may be propagated by seed and cuttings, and probably by air-layering. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Pests and diseases=== | ||
+ | The Malabar chestnut appears to be largely free of pests and diseases in California. Container specimens should be watched for usual house plant pests such as mealybugs. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Cultivars== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Gallery== | ||
+ | {{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery --> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <gallery> | ||
+ | Image:Upload.png| photo 1 | ||
+ | Image:Upload.png| photo 2 | ||
+ | Image:Upload.png| photo 3 | ||
+ | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | + | *[http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/malabar.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Malabar Chestnut fruit facts] | |
− | + | <!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 --> | |
− | * [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/malabar.html | + | <!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 --> |
− | * | + | <!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 --> |
− | * | ||
− | == | + | ==External links== |
− | * | + | *{{wplink}} |
+ | [[Category:Categorize]] | ||
− | + | <!-- in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions! --> | |
− | |||
− | |||
− |
Revision as of 20:04, 27 April 2009
Lifespan: | ⌛ | perennial |
---|---|---|
Origin: | ✈ | S Mexico to Brazil |
Pachira > |
aquatica > |
Growth Habit: The Malabar chestnut is a very showy evergreen tree with greenish bark that can grow to 60 ft. in the tropics. In California the growth is more like 10 to 15 ft. tall with a spread of 8 to 10 feet.
Foliage: The shiny, bright green, alternate palmately compound leaves of the Malabar chestnut grow to about 12 inches long and are quickly shed. They are larger and showier than Chorisia speciosa, the popular floss-silk tree. Young leaves and flowers are cooked and used as a vegetable.
Flowers: The petals of the very large creamy white flowers of the Malabar chestnut curl back to the base of the flower, leaving only the spectacular clusters of 3 to 4 inch cream-white stamens.
Fruit: The five-valved fruit of Malabar chestnut is an ovoid, woody green pod which may reach 4 to 12 inches in length and 2 to 2-1/2 inches in diameter, bearing some resemblance to kapok or silk floss seed pods. The tightly packed seeds (nuts) inside enlarge until the pod bursts and the seed fall to the ground. The rounded seeds are without floss and 1/2 inch or larger in diameter. They are edible raw or roasted.
Adaption: Tropical estuaries are the native habitat of the Malabar chestnut, so it is perhaps best suited to Hawaii and southern Florida. Even so, the plant also grows well in the milder parts of southern California. Several handsome specimens are thriving in the Quail Gardens collection near Encinitas, Calif., which has more cold and wind than many home gardens. The plant will tolerate brief exposure to temperatures as low as 28° F, but may drop some or most of its leaves. Malabar chestnuts make attractive potted plants and add an attractive tropical note to patios and sun rooms.
- More information about this species can be found on the genus page.
Cultivation
calendar? | ||
---|---|---|
January: | ||
February: | ||
March: | ||
April: | ||
May: | ||
June: | ||
July: | ||
August: | ||
September: | ||
October: | ||
November: | ||
December: | ||
Notes: |
Location: A frost-free location with some protection from hot, drying winds is the best choice for the plant. It will take full sun to partial shade. Overall, the tree is a handsome landscape addition.
Soils: Malabar chestnuts are not overly fussy about soil as long as it is well drained.
Irrigation: The Malabar chestnut needs consistent and regular watering, although logic would suggest that in California the plant should be kept on the dry side during the cold winter months.
Fertilization: Malabar chestnuts need only a light monthly fertilizing with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer during the warm months.
Pruning: The Malabar chestnut seldom needs pruning.
Harvest: The nuts of the Malabar chestnut are harvested when the seed pods burst. The raw nuts taste like peanuts and will keep for months in a cool, dry place. Roasted or fried in oil they have the flavor of chestnuts, and can be ground into a flour for bread baking.
Propagation
The tree may be propagated by seed and cuttings, and probably by air-layering.
Pests and diseases
The Malabar chestnut appears to be largely free of pests and diseases in California. Container specimens should be watched for usual house plant pests such as mealybugs.
Cultivars
Gallery
If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.
References
External links
- w:Pachira aquatica. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
- Pachira aquatica QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)