wild chestnut
Pachira insignis (Sw.) Savigny
Pachira insignis, a tree from the Malvaceae family, is native to the tropics of South America. It is known for its large flowers, which can reach up to 70 cm in diameter, making them the widest among trees. Each of the five yellow petals can measure up to 35 cm in length and 5 cm in width. The stamens are arranged in three distinct sections, with the upper third containing up to one thousand individual stamens. The species is commonly known as 'wild chestnut' in English and is found in regions such as Putumayo, Colombia.
Description
Pachira insignis is a member of the Baobab Subfamily (Bombacoideae) within the Malvaceae family. It is native to South America, particularly in the region of Putumayo, Colombia. The species is characterized by its exceptionally large flowers, which can measure up to 70 cm in diameter. Each flower has five yellow petals, each up to 35 cm long and 5 cm wide. The stamens are structured in three parts: united in the lower third, divided into five subgroups in the middle third, and forming up to one thousand individual stamens in the upper third. The plant is known by the common name 'wild chestnut' and was first described in 1798.
Other common names
wild chestnut
Distribution
Putumayo, municipio de Mocoa, Vereda San Carlos, Centro Experimental Amazónico CEA, Corpoamazonia. · DO
Synonyms
Pachira loddigesiiPachira affinisBombax affineBombax insigneBombax spectabileBombax spruceanumCarolinea affinisCarolinea insignisPachira spruceana