$39.00 ($39.00-$49.00 choose a size)
Fragrant, stunning flowers and edible peanut-tasting nuts distinguish Guiana Chestnut. They are edible raw but they are more often eaten roasted, boiled or fried when they taste more like chestnuts. It is closely related to the smaller but similar Malabar Chestnut. Native to estuaries and lake shores in the tropical rainforests of Mexico, Central and South America where it is seen as a large spreading tree with buttressed root systems to hold it in place during flooding. The flowers of the Guiana chestnut are spectacular, they emerge from foot long buds where they are almost hidden amongst the dense foliage. The long cream coloured petals droop and disappear to show off the dramatic clusters of scarlet tipped stamens. The fruits that follow the flowers are football shaped large woody pods that can reach 30cm in length. The tightly packed nuts inside enlarge until the pods burst open to reveal them. They can be also be ground into flour for baking. Both the flowers and the leaves can be eaten as vegetables. The Guiana Chestnut does best in sites that are protected from drying winds, it can be grown in full sun or part shade and it requires frequent and generous watering.