Malvaceae

Native: Central America, South America

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Streptophyta

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Common Names

English – Guiana Chestnut, Malabar Chestnut

Malayalam – മലബാര്‍ ചെസ്റ്റ്‌നട്ട്

Description: Medium-sized tree reaching a height of about 15 – 20m. Crown rounded and bushy in mature trees. Leaves palmately compound, with 5-11 leaflets. Flowers are solitary, cylindrical and erect, with linear creamy-yellow petals with 20 – 30cm long that peel back to reveal showy powderpuff flowers with pink-tipped white to yellowish-orange stamens. Fruits are large egg-shaped woody capsules with 30cm long and 13cm wide. Mature fruits are brown in colour and splitting to disperse edible seeds that has peanuts flavour.

Distribution:  All throughout the world

Uses: This plant is known as the best air-purifying plant, and it absorbs the toxic components present in the air. Planted in gardens for its attractive flowers and edible seeds.