Malabar Chestnut
Pachira insignis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

Pachira insignis or commonly known as Malabar Chestnut or Wild Chestnut is a fast-growing evergreen or semi-deciduous tree with a dense and round crown, growing up to 18 m tall and up to 60 cm in trunk diameter. It can be found in South America where it is grown for food and as an ornamental. The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. It can be roasted or ground into powder. Young leaves and flowers are also edible. The wood is light and of low value. It is used to make toys, boxes, door, panel fillings, etc., and for paper production.

Pachira insignis is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Humid upland rainforests, mainly in dense primary forest or late-stage secondary formations in Brazil. Wet, lowland, tropical rainforests at elevations up to 500 metres.

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Caribbean - West Indies.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Indochina, Mexico, North America, Peru, SE Asia, South America, St Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Seeds - raw or cooked. Eaten raw, they are said to taste a bit like peanuts, whilst the cooked seeds are like chestnuts. The seeds can be roasted and used like cocoa. The seeds can also be ground into a powder and used as flour-substitute in bread. The seeds contain about 50% oil. The large seeds can be up to 8cm in diameter, and are contained in a woody capsule that can be 30cm in diameter and weigh more than 3 kilos. Young leaves. Flowers.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Chocolate: substitutes for chocolate, that is.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses The wood is light, straight-grained, coarse-textured, easy to cut but with a low resistance to rot. A low value timber, it is used to make toys, boxes, door and panel fillings etc. It is useful for the production of paper.

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A plant of the moist tropics. It is said to be able to tolerate occasional drops in temperature to just below freezing. Grows well in a sunny position and in partial shade. Prefers a clay, well-watered soil. Prefers a well-drained soil. Plants can tolerate periodic inundation, but also need some time when the soil becomes drier. They grow well on the banks of rivers. A fast-growing tree. Bloom Color: White/Near White.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow the seed in a partially shaded position in individual containers. Germination rates are usually extremely good, with the seeds sprouting within 10 - 15 days. The seedlings develop quickly. Cuttings Air layering.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Malabar Chestnut, Wild Chestnut, Boesimomow, Kanihiriballi, Mamorana Grande, Trinidad pachira,

Synonyms

Bombax affine (Mart. & Zucc.) Ducke Bombax spectabile Ulbr. Bombax spruceanum Ducke Carolinea affini