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MALABAR CHESTNUT
© Frances Michaels
COMMON NAMES: Malabar Chestnut, Guyana Chestnut, Saba Nut, Munguba, Mamorana, Provision Tree
BOTANICAL NAME: Pachira aquatica FAMILY: Bombacaeae PLANT DESCRIPTION An extremely adaptable, fast growing, ornamental, evergreen nut tree to a height of 7m with a spread of 3m. The trunk swells at the base as the tree ages. The leaves are large, divided and bright green. The flowers are very ornamental, 10 cm long, cream 'shaving brush' style flowers, very striking. It is native to tropical America and prefers moist, well-composted, well-drained soils in a warm, sunny position. It is resistant to drought and very hardy but will only tolerate light frost. It will also tolerate some shade.
USES The pods are about twice the size of a walnut. The nuts inside the green, football-shaped pods are very edible and nutritious and about the size of a cashew. The nuts can be roasted, fried in oil, added to stir-fry or eaten raw. The young leaves and flowers can be eaten like a vegetable. In Japan this tree is a popular indoor plant.
HARVEST The seedpods containing the nuts change colour from green to brown when ripe, usually in the wet season, January to March . If left too long on the tree they will split open and drop the nuts to the ground. Bagging the nuts will protect the seedpods from possums and also catch the nuts if they start to drop.
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