Pachira glabra

P. glabra is grown in West and Central Africa as a foodcrop. The seeds are rich in oil and contain 16% protein and 40–50% fat.[3][6] The seeds taste similar to peanuts[3] and are typically boiled or roasted,[4] with the roasted seeds sometimes ground to make a hot drink.[3] The young leaves and flowers are also eaten.[3][6]

Young P. glabra trees can easily be grown in flowerpots and survive a range of conditions as long as they remain above freezing temperatures.[3] They are marketed commercially as ornamentals with several small trees in a single flowerpot, their trunks braided; specimens are similar in appearance to P. aquatica and many small ornamentals sold as P. aquatica are actually P. glabra.[5][nb 1] However, P. aquatica has woody gray bark, while P. glabra's is a smoother greenish-gray,[2] and P. aquatica will only develop a swollen trunk with age.[5] Likewise, the flowers of P. aquatica feature red-tipped petals and red anthers,[2] whereas the flowers of P. glabra are all white.[2][5] In addition, the P. aquatica blooms last marginally longer during than those of P. glabra.[5] P. glabra seeds are green rather than brown and half the size of those of P. aquatica. Seed yields are also lower than those of P. aquatica.[2]