Greenback Tree

Pachira aquatica is a tropical wetland tree of the genus Pachira, 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.) It is classified in the subfamily Bombacoideae of the family Malvaceae. The tree is cultivated for its edible nuts which grow in a very large, woody pod. We are in luck to catch this tree with a single fruit today. This nut is said to taste like peanuts, and can be eaten raw or cooked or ground into a flour to make bread.

You may be surprised to learn that the juvenile form of this tree is widely sold quite expensively under the name of "Money Tree." Now that its true identity is known, I may come here often to wait for the leaves to turn into the greenbacks as its name suggests. Money does grow on tree after all. In the mean time, I am debating whether I should taste this huge nut. Never had such a big peanut before!