Pachira glabra
Saba nut, French peanut, Guinea peanut, money tree, lucky tree
Description
Saba nut is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 17 meters tall but is usually smaller. The bole can be 30 - 40cm in diameter.
BARK: smooth and greenish gray, and often swollen at the base.
LEAVES: alternate leaves are 6-11 inches (15-28 cm) in length and compound, with 5-9 leaflets.
FLOWERS: large and showy flowers are perfect and terminal, with a long peduncle. The petals and numerous stamens are white.
FRUIT: smooth, green capsule, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) in length, and splits opens naturally on longitudinal sutures when ripe. The seeds are rounded but irregular, with about 10-25 per fruit. They are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, with a light brown testa.
Uses
Edible: seeds can be boiled or roasted like chestnuts, young leaves are said to be eaten. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Pachira+glabra
Agroforestry: can be used as a hedge.
The wood can be used for making light objects such as boxes, rulers and toys.
An ornamental tree.
Ecology
Saba nut is native to Brazil. Sporadically grown throughout the tropics and subtropics, and used as a house plant in temperate regions. In Kampala, this tree can be found along Lugogo bypass, Jinja road among other places.
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