What is the difference between the Radermachera sinica and the Pachira aquatica?

Radermachera sinica and Pachira aquatica are both plants that symbolize good fortune and are widely loved by people. But in fact, if you are not familiar with these two plants, it is very easy to confuse them, so what exactly is the difference between Pachira aquatica and Radermachera sinica? Below, Qinnong Web will introduce the differences between Radermachera sinica and Pachira aquatica.

1. Different family and genus

Since both are plants, first Qinnong Web will introduce the differences between these two plants from the botanical level.

Radermachera sinica is: a small tree in the subclass Asteridae, order Lamiales, family Bignoniaceae, tribe Tecomeae, genus Radermachera.

Pachira aquatica is: an evergreen small tree in the subclass Rosidae, order Malvales, suborder Malvineae, family Malvaceae, genus Pachira.

The common point of these two plants is that they both belong to the plant kingdom, phylum Angiospermae, class Dicotyledoneae. According to "kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species," they only show a slight difference at the third category, and only under "order" do they show an obvious difference, so it is not strange that these two plants are easily confused.

2. Differences in morphology

Earlier we introduced the differences between Radermachera sinica and Pachira aquatica from the perspective of plant classification. In fact, for most people, this is a relatively unfamiliar concept. What is more intuitive for us is to distinguish them by their morphology, so what are the differences between these two plants in appearance?

Radermachera sinica: Radermachera sinica can reach a height of more than ten meters, with 2- to 3-pinnately compound leaves, the leaf rachis can reach 30 cm long, the leaflets are ovate or ovate-lanceolate, both the leaves and flowers are hairless, with a terminal panicle, the calyx is closed in bud, the corolla is campanulate-funnelform, the ovary is smooth, the pericarp is thinly leathery, the seeds are elliptical, and the flowering period is from May to September, producing fruit after the flowering period ends.

Pachira aquatica: Pachira aquatica is also called Malabar chestnut, the tree height is 4-5 m, the leaves are oblong to obovate-oblong, the flowers are pale yellow-green, the fruit is approximately pear-shaped, the pericarp is relatively thick, the seeds are irregularly ladder-shaped wedge-shaped, and the flowering period is slightly longer than that of Radermachera sinica, from May to November. After the seeds fall to the ground, they germinate naturally.

3. Differences in function

Besides differences in morphology, Pachira aquatica and Radermachera sinica also differ in function. Although Radermachera sinica is tall, it can also be grown at home as a small or medium-sized potted plant. Its leaves are emerald green and full of vitality. Keeping it at home provides not only ornamental value but also the meaning of happiness; while Pachira aquatica, in addition to its own ornamental value, also has the function of purifying the air. Pachira aquatica can absorb indoor harmful gases through photosynthesis while releasing oxygen. In addition, Pachira aquatica has a certain resistance to gases produced by burning tobacco, and its symbolic meaning is also very auspicious.

The above is the introduction summarized by Qinnong Web about the differences between Radermachera sinica and Pachira aquatica. In fact, the main way we distinguish these two plants is still by the size of their leaves, because in a potted environment, Radermachera sinica is instead on the smaller side, while Pachira aquatica looks larger. As for function, naturally Pachira aquatica, which can absorb harmful gases, is superior.