What is the difference between the Malabar chestnut and the China doll plant? Learn to tell them apart quickly
1. Tree shape difference
The Malabar chestnut can grow up to 30m tall, and the diameter of its stem can reach 2m, while the China doll plant generally can only grow to a height of 15m. Therefore, when comparing the two, the one that grows taller and larger is the Malabar chestnut.
2. Leaf difference
The leaves of the Malabar chestnut are 8-16cm long, and the leaf rachis has wings but they are not well developed. The petiole is 2-5cm long and has either sparse or dense fuzz on it. The leaves of the China doll plant are 4-7cm long, and the rachis is 30cm long with no fuzz on it. There is no fuzz on the petiole either.
3. Flower difference
The inflorescence of the Malabar chestnut is a panicle, growing out from the branches, and the small flowers it produces are yellow. The inflorescence of the China doll plant is an upright inflorescence, growing from the top, and the flowers it produces are white or pale yellow.