Malabar Chestnut

Description:

Flowers and fruit of a tree growing right on the edge of the waterways, actually overhanging the water, in Tortuguero. 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 the common names Malabar chestnut, Guiana chestnut, provision tree, saba nut, monguba (Brazil), pumpo (Guatemala) and is commercially sold under the names money tree and money plant. This tree is sometimes sold with a braided trunk and is commonly grown as a houseplant. Pachira aquatica can grow up to 18 m (59.1 ft) in height in the wild.

Habitat:

The tree grows well as a tropical ornamental in moist, frost-free areas.