Pachira macrocarpa

Geographic distribution

Pachira macrocarpa is Bombacaceae evergreen small trees. Native to Costa rica of Latin America, Australia and some small island of the Pacific.
Pachira macrocarpa stems erect, leaves alternate, a long stem, palmately compound, with 9 - 12 leaflets, leaflets 12-15cm long, 6cm wide. Because of their unique tree leaf, it has many other names, and it is suitable in warm and wet, well ventilated environment, heliophilous, also a little shade-tolerance, the best growing in loose fertile and well drained soil.
Tree height 8-15m, palmately compound, branches many verticillate. Flowers are large, up to 22.5cm, petals laciniate, color has red, white or light yellow, bright color. 4-5 months to blossom, 9-10 months the fruit is ripe, with 10-20 seeds, large size, irregular shape, light brown, mainly by seed production. Seed mature in autumn. Indoor view are mostly as miniature gardening type pot, for accelerated growth can be planted on the ground, and after in a pot.

Use value

As miniature gardening

As the pachira macrocarpa have a large rate of budding, after some repair work, it can quickly expand new branches, so the pachira macrocarpa can keep leafy. If wanting to make the pachira macrocarpa as modelling unique miniature gardening, in the rich tree seedling period, let 3~5 pachira macrocarpa bending binding or braided bundles, and when the pachira macrocarpa grow up, cut stem.

As shade tree

Pachira macrocarpa in the landscaping can be used as a shade tree, used to shade. Landscape in the early, often put the pachira macrocarpa plant alone or opposite planting, built a cool, comfortable garden environment, shielding the scorching sun. Later the pachira macrocarpa is used in the landscape, in the scenic area also has grow many. Pachira macrocarpa is evergreen arbor, can grow 10m trunk, crown of the tree is big, form a large shade, and can cover the sun, adjust temperature, bring good, comfortable rest environment. Pachira macrocarpa leaves are flat, with no bad smell, no toxicity, and there are few pest phenomenon, strong and fecundity, can adapt to the different environment. Pachira macrocarpa also has high ornamental value, these features determines that it can be widely used by landscaping workers. As a shade tree, can according to the actual size of the garden space, and the height of the surrounding buildings to decide to opposite planting, isolated planting or clump planting of the pachira macrocarpa.

As street trees

Pachira macrocarpa can be used as street trees in greening landscape. Pachira macrocarpa is easy to root species, developed root system, itself also can store large amounts of water, so need little water, strong drought tolerant, no need of frequent watering; pachira macrocarpa have strong growth, plant diseases and insect pests is little, easy to maintenance in the garden; the pachira macrocarpa have strong adaptability, wide application range, rapid growth, can be prune repeatedly; beautiful appearance, the crown is large, can form a large shade, very suitable as street trees, can be very good to improve the overall landscape ecological quality. As a street tree, need according to the natural growth of tree, seven branch points need to have very high levels to meet the needs of pedestrians and vehicles to pass normally. When the road surface is narrow or the need for large vehicles passing, then need to maintain a tree branch points over 3.0~3.5m. When the road surface is fairly broad or in a walking commercial street, can maintain a tree branch points in 2.5~3.0m. When the turning radius is very small or no good view, should not be planted, prevent the pachira macrocarpa blocking pedestrian or the driver's line of sight.