Edible Plants of the World

Fish Poison Tree

Fish Poison Tree

A tropical plant. It prefers well-drained, moist, humus rich soil. It can grow in a sheltered, partly shaded position. It is drought tender and very frost tender. Found throughout the Philippines in areas of shrub near the seashore and open lowlands up to 320 m altitude. It grows in coastal swamps and along stream banks. It can resist strong sea breezes. It is salt tolerant. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Also known as:

Butun darat, Cassowary pine, Foto-be, Freshwater mangrove, Ijjal, Jik, Kaiengal, Kyi-byu, Mango Pine, Massinhava, Midhilijan, Mtoko, Mutovatova, Paopao, Pneggung, Poeierkwasboom, Pohon putat sungai, Powder-puff tree, Putat darat, Putat kamp, Putat kampung, Putat kedul, Putat sungai, Rfungue, Samudraphala, Taung-kyi

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Fish Poison Tree grow?

Found in: Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Carolines, China, Christmas Island, Chuuk, Comoros, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Yap

Notes: Many parts of the plant are used to stun fish. There are about 40 Barringtonia species. It possibly has anti-cancer properties.

Status: It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Growing Fish Poison Tree

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed need to be sown fresh. It can be grown from cuttings.

Edible Uses: The seeds and young leaves are eaten. The seeds are pounded and starch extracted. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are first soaked in lime water. Caution: The fruit are used to poison wild pigs.

Production: Trees grow easily and rapidly.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Leaves - - - - - -
Seeds - starch - - - - - -

Fish Poison Tree Photos

Fish Poison Tree Fish Poison Tree

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