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What is the difference between the money tree and the happiness tree?

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Because these two trees look alike and even have similar names, the public often cannot tell them apart, but in fact they differ in many ways. First, the happiness tree belongs to the tribe Tecomeae, genus Radermachera, while the money tree belongs to the genus Pachira. Second, their height, leaf shape and color, crown shape, and flower color and shape are all different. In addition, the two plants also serve different purposes.

Family and genus

This is the most fundamental difference between the two plants. Both are dicotyledons, but their subclasses are quite different. The former is an archichlamydeous plant, while the latter is a sympetalous one. Because the subclasses differ, one can imagine that from the subclass downward they are no longer the same. The former belongs to the order Malvales, while the latter belongs to the order Tubiflorae. In addition, the former belongs to the family Bombacaceae, while the latter belongs to the family Bignoniaceae. As for genus, the latter is in the tribe Tecomeae, genus Radermachera, while the former is in the genus Pachira.

Morphology

Generally speaking, the money tree is not as tall as the happiness tree; the former reaches a maximum height of only 5 m, while the latter can grow up to 10 m. In addition, the crown of the former is relatively loose, the young branches are chestnut brown in color, and the leaves are round or obovate-oblong in shape.

The flowers of the money tree grow singly, the pedicel is relatively sturdy, the petals are pale yellow tinged with green, the fruit skin is relatively thick, and the seeds are rather irregular in shape, appearing in two forms, trapezoidal and wedge-shaped. It usually blooms from around May to November, and the fruit also ripens during this period; it does not need people to sow it deliberately, as the seeds germinate easily once they fall to the ground.

The happiness tree, by contrast, has no hairs on its leaves or inflorescences, its flowers are bell-shaped and funnelform in color and form, its leaves are bipinnate in shape, its fruit skin is relatively thin, and its seeds are fairly regular in shape, being oval. Its flowering period is from May to September, shorter than that of the money tree, and its fruit ripens from October to December.

Uses

The happiness tree is a relatively small potted plant that we can place in the home, and because its leaves are quite green and lush, it is considered to bring good fortune to the household and can bring happiness to everyone.

The money tree does not only signify wealth; placed together with different home furnishings, it carries different meanings. It can release oxygen and has a relatively strong ability to absorb carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. In addition, it can also absorb the exhaust gas produced by burning tobacco.

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