Saba nut, Glabrous pachira
Pachira glabra

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 17 m high. The trunk is bright green. The leaves have 5-7 leaflets. The leaves have long leaf stalks. The flowers come out at night. They have light green strap-like petals. The stamen are white and curved. The fruit is a green capsule 12.5 cm long. It contains many large seed. It is like a cocoa pod. There are 10-24 seeds.

Also put in the family Bombacaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Central America. It grows on alluvial plains and lowland rainforests. It suits humid locations. In Townsville BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Angola, Australia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central Africa, Central America, Congo DR, Guianas, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South America, St Lucia, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten fresh, boiled or roasted.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts, vegetable, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Cuttings or air-layering can also be used. The seeds are harvested from the fruit once they are open. Seeds are sown when fresh. They germinate in 5-10 days. The rate of germination is high. Seedlings can be transplanted into the field in 4 months.

Plants grow quickly. They can be 3.5 m tall in 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Amendoim-de-arvore, American chestnut, Cacau-do-maranhao, Cacau-selvagem, Castanha-da-praia, Castanha-do-maranhao, Castano de Guinea, Kalanga ya wazungu, Mamorana, Nguba nquela, Nguba mputu, “Pachira nut"

Synonyms

Bombacopsis glabra (Pasq.) Robyns; Bombax anisophyllum Buxb.; Bombax columellatum Buxb.; Bombax glabrum (Pasq.) Robyns; Bombax kimuenzae De Wilderman & T. Durand; Bombax oleaginum (Decne) A. Robyns; Carolinea campestris (Mart. & Zucc.) Decne Pachira affinis (Mart.) Decne; Pachira campestris (Mart. & Zucc.) Decne; Pachira oleaginea Decne; Pochota glabra (Pasq.) Bullock;