Fish Killer tree, Beach Barringtonia
A tropical plant. They occur along the seashore throughout the islands of Asia and the Pacific. Trees often lean out over the sea. It prefers well-composted, moist, well-drained soil. It can grow easily in sandy soil. It can tolerate salty soils. It suits a protected sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.
Also known as:
Bitung, Botong, Butun, Fish Poison Tree, Futu, Hotu, Hutu, Keben, Keiengal, Kimbi, Kinbi, Kyi-gyi, Motong-botong, Navel, Pertun, Putat ayer, Putat gajah, Putat laut, Puteng, Queens of shores, Reang, Sea putat, Te baireati, Vutu, Waap, Waba, Waiep, Wan bibi
Synonyms
- Agasta asiatica (L.) Miers
- Agasta indica Miers
- Agasta splendida Miers
- Barringtonia butonica J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.
- Barringtonia levenquii Jardin
- Barringtonia littorea Oken
- Barringtonia senequei Jard.
- Barringtonia speciosa J. R. & G Forst.
- Barringtonia speciosa L. f.
- Butonica speciosa (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Lam.
- Commersonia speciosa (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Britten
- Doxomma magnificum Miers
- Huttum speciosum (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Britten
- Mammea asiatica L.
- Michelia asiatica (L.) Kuntze
- Mitraria commersonia J. F. Gmel.
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Pods, Seeds, Fruit, Flowers, Caution
Where does Fish Killer tree grow?
Found in: Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cambodia, Carolines, Chuuk, Comoros, Cook Islands, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Mascarenes, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tahiti, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Indies
Notes: The seeds are used as a fish poison due to a chemical saponin. There are about 40 Barringtonia species. The seeds contain Hydrocyanic acid and triterpene acids.
Status: It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea. A very minor food.
Growing Fish Killer tree, Beach Barringtonia
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from cuttings or seed. Seed need to be sown fresh. Seed germinate readily. Young trees need shade. Plants can be grown by layering.
Edible Uses: The young leaf shoots may be eaten fresh. The young flowers are also eaten. The young fruit have been recorded eaten as a vegetable. Cooking destroys the saponins. CAUTION This plant is used as a fish poison. They contain saponins. The seeds are oily and toxic. They have been recorded as being cooked and eaten in Indonesia and the Andaman Islands.
Production: Seed take up to 2 months to germinate but seedlings grow very quickly.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Pods | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Fish Killer tree, Beach Barringtonia Photos
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