Panchira insignis

Common Names: Wild Chestnut, Wild Breadnut, Malabar Chestnut

Pachira insignis is an outstanding tropical tree from South America that adapts well to warm, frost-free spots in tropical parts of WA. It is highly valued for its huge, showy flowers and large woody pods filled with edible seeds. It makes an excellent shade tree or a productive addition to a permaculture food forest in the north or a greenhouse or indoor plant in Perth. 

Features:

Ideal prune height range: 2-4m

pH growing conditions: 5.5 to 7.0

Shade or full sun: Full sun to semi-shade

Minimum pot year 5: 90L pot

Time to fruit age: 3-5 years from seed

This fast-growing tree features large, hand-shaped leaves clustered at the ends of branches. It produces spectacular flowers with long petals and a burst of hundreds of red and white stamens. The flowers develop into large woody capsules holding seeds that taste like peanuts when raw and like roasted chestnuts when cooked. It prefers deep, rich soil with plenty of water during the dry summer months.

Interesting Notes:

The young leaves and flowers are also edible and can be cooked as a vegetable. The high oil content of the seeds makes them a highly nutritious perennial staple food source.

While it loves moisture and handles brief flooding, it is surprisingly tough once established if protected tropical garden. 

Limited stock. Pickup from Parkwood, WA. Delivery to Perth Metro only.

Keywords: Pachira insignis, Wild Chestnut, rare fruit tree, edible nuts, food forest Perth, exotic shade tree