What's a money tree?

There were a few questions a while back about money trees. What are they?

A money tree is a Chinese tree that has long leaves, and the trunk is usually braided. After about a year, our money tree passed away. They are supposed to bring you good luck (and wealth...) but perhaps ours dying was a sign that I'm not meant to be wealthy?

There are also presents that you can buy for people called money trees. They are basically small fake trees about the size of a vase that don't have any leaves on them, so you tie money (bills) to the branches. They're good for like graduations and stuff.

Oh, ok. I knew what the fake money tree was, but I wasn't sure about the real one, so thanks to both of you.

How does the trunk get braided? Do you have to raise it yourself and do that, or is it some oddity of the plant?

The one we bought had the trunk braided already...I think it's just the way people like to make the plant look, eg, not a natural occurrence but something that makes it look pretty.

When I was growing up, we had what we called "money trees" in the yard- they were these trees that had very thin, coin shaped leaves. The leaves were as thin as paper and slightly transparent, and there were often small flat seeds trapped in the leaves.