GUIANA CHESTNUT, Pachira aquatica

The Guiana Chestnut is closely related to the smaller but similar Malabar Chestnut.  Native to estuaries and lake shores in the tropical rainforest's of Mexico, Central and South America where it is seen as a large spreading tree with buttressed root systems to hold it in place during flooding.  The flowers of the Guiana chestnut are fragrant and stunning, they emerge from foot long buds where they are almost hiden amongst the dense foliage.  The long cream coloured petals droop and disappear to show off the dramatic clusters of scarlet tipped stamens.  The fruits that follow the flowers are football shaped large woody pods that can reach 30cm in length.  The tightly packed nuts inside enlarge until the pods burst open to reveal them.  They are edible raw and taste somewhat like peanuts but they are more often eaten roasted, boiled or fried when they taste more like chestnuts.  They can be ground into flour for baking.  Both the flowers and the leaves can be eaten as  vegetables.  The Guiana Chestnut does best in sites that are protected from drying winds, it can be grown in full sun or part shade and it requires frequent and generous watering.

175mm | $17.90 AU | Seeking Propagation Material |

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