Joannesia princeps
Vell.
Araranut tree
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(c) Flávio Mendes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Flávio Mendes
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(c) thiagolyra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) thiagolyra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaJoannesia princeps, the arara nut-tree or andá-açu, is a species of moderate-sized tree in the family Euphorbiaceae, with a spreading canopy, large alternate and long petioled leaves, and coarse branches. Flowers are monoecious, and fruit is a large drupe. It is endemic to east Minas Gerais, north Espírito Santo to the south of Bahia, Brazil, and threatened by habitat loss.
Description
A fairly large tree. It grows 25 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark is grey-brown but not rough. It has a dense crown of leaves. The new leaves are waxy pink and then turn deep green. The leaves are divided like fingers on a hand. The leaves have 5-7 broad leaflets with pointy tips. The leaves turn red before falling off. There are 2 small lumps near the top of the common leaf stalk. The flowers are small and yellowish. The fruit is a large woody nut. It has 4 prominent ridges.
Edible Uses
The fleshy layer around the seeds is bitter but can be eaten. The seeds must be roasted before eating.
Traditional Uses
CAUTION: The seeds cause severe diarrhoea. They need to be roasted. The fleshy layer around the seeds is bitter but can be eaten. The seeds need to be roasted before eating.
Medicinal Uses
The anda-assy oil, extracted from the seeds, is used medicinally. Hydragogue and strongly purgative, it is said to be four times as powerful as castor oil (Ricinus communis). It is used to treat ascites. The oil is applied externally to treat skin conditions. The bark is used medicinally. The bark contains a poisonous latex that has been used as a remedy for diarrhoea. The bark is used externally to treat cuts.
Known Hazards
The seeds cause severe diarrhoea if not roasted before consumption.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical rainforest.
Where It Grows
Asia, Brazil*, India, Indonesia, SE Asia, South America,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Propagation
Seed - does not require pre-treatment. It is best sown as soon as it is ripe in individual containers in a semi-shaded position, covered with 5mm of soil. A good rate of germination is normally obtained within 20 - 30 days. Seedlings normally grow away quickly and are ready for planting out when about 4 months old.
Other Uses
The seeds contain about 37% of a heavy, yellow oil. It is used as fuel, in industry and in medicines. It can be used as a substitute for linseed oil. (This probably means that it is a drying oil.) The light-coloured wood is light in weight; porous; with very crossed fibres but with a smooth cut. It is excellent for making matches, ceilings, boats, rafts, boxes etc, and is pulped for cellulose.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Anda-acu, Anda-assu, Boleiro
References (5)
- Alograf. 199. 1798
- Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 303
- Krishen P., 2006, Trees of Delhi, A Field Guide. DK Books. p 208
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 341
- www.colecionandofrutas.org
