What is the difference between the happiness tree and the money tree? A quick guide to tell them apart

The happiness tree and the money tree are both plants with auspicious meanings 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 the money tree and the happiness tree? Below, Qinnong Web will introduce the differences between the happiness tree and the money tree.

1. Different families and genera

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

The happiness tree is: a small tree in the subclass Sympetalae, order Tubiflorae, family Bignoniaceae, tribe Tecomeae, genus Radermachera.

The money tree is: an evergreen small tree in the subclass Archichlamydeae, order Malvales, suborder Malvineae, family Bombacaceae, genus Pachira.

The common point of these two plants is that they both belong to the plant kingdom, phylum Angiosperms, class Dicotyledons. According to "kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species," they only begin to differ at the third category, and only show obvious differences at the "order" level. Therefore, it is not surprising that these two plants are easy to confuse.

2. Differences in morphology

Above, we introduced the differences between the happiness tree and the money tree from the perspective of plant classification. In fact, for most people, this is a rather 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?

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

Money tree: The money tree is also called Gua Li. 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, and the seeds are irregularly ladder-like wedge-shaped. Its flowering period is slightly longer than that of the happiness tree, from May to November, and the seeds germinate naturally after falling to the ground.

3. Differences in function

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

The above is Qinnong Web's summary of the introduction to the differences between the happiness tree and the money tree. In fact, the main way we distinguish these two plants is still by the size of their leaves, because in a potted environment, the happiness tree is actually on the smaller side, while the money tree looks larger. As for function, naturally the money tree, which can absorb harmful gases, comes out ahead.