Common Name:

General Information

Pachira insignis is an evergreen or semideciduous tree with a dense, rounded crown; it can grow from 10 - 18 metres tall. The erect bole is 40 - 60cm in diameter[].
The plant is cultivated in tropical South America and the Antilles as a hedge and is also grown as an ornamental, where it provides excellent shade[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

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

Habitat

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[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].

Edible Uses

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[].

Medicinal

None known

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[].

Propagation

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.

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