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Pachira aquatica (view source)

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{{Taxobox
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__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
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| color = lightgreen
   
| name = ''Pachira aquatica''
 
| name = ''Pachira aquatica''
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| common_names = Malabar Chestnut, Guiana Chestnut, Guyana Chestnut, Provision tree, Saba Nut
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| growth_habit = evergreen tree
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| high = ?m (10-60 ft)
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| wide =    <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
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| origin = S Mexico to Brazil
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| poisonous =    <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
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| lifespan = perennial
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| exposure =    <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
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| water =    <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
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| features =    <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
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| hardiness =    <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
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| bloom =    <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
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| usda_zones = 9b-11
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| sunset_zones =    <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
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| color = IndianRed
 
| image = Pachira aquatica2.jpg
 
| image = Pachira aquatica2.jpg
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| image_width = 180px    <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| image_caption =    <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| regnum = Plantae
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| ordo = [[Malvales]]
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| divisio = Magnoliophyta
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| familia = [[Bombacaceae]]
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| classis = Magnoliopsida
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| genus = ''Pachira''
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| ordo = Malvales
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| species = '''''P. aquatica'''''
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| familia = Bombacaceae
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| binomial = ''Pachira aquatica''
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| genus = Pachira
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| binomial_authority = [[Jean Baptiste Christophore Fusée Aublet|Aublet]]
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| species = aquatica
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| subspecies =  
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| cultivar =  
 
}}
 
}}
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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.
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'''''Pachira aquatica''''' (synonyms: ''Pachira macrocarpa'', ''Bombax macrocarpum'', ''Carolinea macrocarpa'', ''Bombax glabrum'') is a tropical wetland tree which is known by the common names '''[[Malabar]] [[chestnut]]''', '''[[Guiana]] chestnut''', '''provision tree''', and '''saba nut'''. It is native to [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]], where it grows in swamps.
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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.
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==Characteristics==
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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.
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''Pachira aquatica'' can grow up to 18 [[meter]]s in height in the wild. It has shiny green [[palmate]] leaves and smooth green [[bark]]. Its showy flowers have long, narrow [[petal]]s that open like a banana peel to reveal hairlike yellowish orange [[stamen]]s. The tree is cultivated for its edible [[nut]]s which grow in a very large, woody pod. The nuts are light brown, striped with white. They are said to taste like [[peanut]]s, and can be eaten raw or cooked or ground into a flour to make bread. The leaves and flowers are also edible.
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The tree grows well as a tropical [[ornamental plant|ornamental]] in moist, frost-free areas, and can be started from seed or cutting.
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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.  
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==Role in East Asian culture==
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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.  
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In [[East Asia]], ''Pachira aquatica'' ({{zh-cpl|c=馬拉巴栗|p=''Mǎlābā lì''|l=Malabar chestnut}}) is often referred to as the "'''money tree'''" (發財樹 ''fācái shù'').  The tree had long been popular as an [[ornamental plant|ornamental]] in [[Japan]].  In 1986, a [[Taiwan]]ese [[truck driver]] first cultivated five small trees in a single [[flowerpot]] with their [[trunk (botany)|trunk]]s [[braid]]ed.  The popularity of these ornamentals took off in Japan and later much of the rest of East Asia. They are [[symbolism|symbolically]] associated with good financial fortune and are typically seen in [[business]]es, sometimes with red ribbons or other auspicious ornamentation attached. The trees play an important role in Taiwan's agricultural export economy with exports of [[New Taiwan dollar|NT$]]250 million ([[United States dollar|US$]]7 million) in 2005. <ref><small>[http://english.www.gov.tw/TaiwanHeadlines/index.jsp?recordid=92685 "Fancy take on money trees puts Taiwan on the map."] ''Taiwan Headlines'' reprint from ''[[Liberty Times]]''. [[23 March]] 2006.  Accessed [[10 February]] 2007.</small></ref>
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==Notes==
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:''More information about this species can be found on the [[Pachira|genus page]].''
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==Cultivation==
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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.
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Soils: Malabar chestnuts are not overly fussy about soil as long as it is well drained.
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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.
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Fertilization: Malabar chestnuts need only a light monthly fertilizing with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer during the warm months.
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Pruning: The Malabar chestnut seldom needs pruning.
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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.
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===Propagation===
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The tree may be propagated by seed and cuttings, and probably by air-layering.
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===Pests and diseases===
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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.
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==Cultivars==
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==Gallery==
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{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->
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<gallery>
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Image:Upload.png| photo 1
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Image:Upload.png| photo 2
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Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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</gallery>
    
==References==
 
==References==
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* [http://english.www.gov.tw//TaiwanHeadlines/index.jsp?categid=11&recordid=91217 "Class effort gives Taiwan world leadership in 'money tree' exports."] ''Taiwan Headlines'' reprint from ''[[United Daily News]]''. [[9 February]] 2006.  Accessed [[10 February]] 2007.
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*[http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/malabar.html California Rare Fruit Growers: Malabar Chestnut fruit facts]
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* [http://english.www.gov.tw/TaiwanHeadlines/index.jsp?recordid=92685 "Fancy take on money trees puts Taiwan on the map."] ''Taiwan Headlines'' reprint from ''[[Liberty Times]]''. [[23 March]] 2006.  Accessed [[10 February]] 2007.
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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* [http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/malabar.html "Malabar Chestnut"] at California Rare Fruit Growers Fruit Facts
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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* [http://www.floridata.com/ref/p/pach_aqu.cfm "''Pachira aquatica''"] at FloriData
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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* Van Wyk, Ben-Erik (2005). ''Food Plants of the World''. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, Inc. ISBN 0-88192-743-0
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==See also==
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==External links==
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*[[Jade plant]], also referred to as "money tree"
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*{{wplink}}
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[[Category:Categorize]]
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[[Category:Bombacaceae]]
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<!--  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!    -->
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[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
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[[Category:Trees of Central America]]
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[[Category:Trees of South America]]
 
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