Botanical Name: Barringtonia edulis
Family: Lecythidaceae
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Ericales
Genus: Barringtonia
Synonyms:
*Huttum Adans., rejected name
*Commercona Sonn.
*Menichea Sonn.
*Butonica Lam.
Common Names: Vutu kana, Cut nut
Habitat:Barringtonia edulis is native to Southwestern Pacific – Fiji, Vanuatu. It grows in dense and open forests, woodland and grassland, at elevations up to 400 metres. Humid sites.
Description:
Barringtonia edulis is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate.Leaves are bright green & glossy and are obovate-oblong to oblanceolate (25-75 cm long, 8-30 cm wide). They are spirally arranged in a rosette-like cluster near the branch tips. Flowers are pink or cream and are spirally arranged on a racemose inflorescence that hangs down from the branch tips. The flowers are pollinated by Moths, Bats.
Fruits are green, purplish or red and are egg-shaped or elongated. It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Cultivation: Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade.
Edible Uses:
Seed are eaten raw or cooked. A flavour like raw peanuts. The seed kernel inside the hard shell can be 3cm by 1cm in size. Fruit – raw or cooked. Insipid. Fruit of the Barringtonia edulis is a rare fruit. Suitable for snacks for children, a good source of energy.
Medicinal Uses:
The bark is used in the treatment of stomach ailments and gonorrhoea. A strong tea made from the bark is claimed to induce abortion and definitive sterility
Other Uses:
The wood is light in weight. It is used for canoe paddles, casing, light construction. The wood is used as a quick-burning firewood. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barringtonia
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Barringtonia+edulis
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/7/2746
