Caesalpinia bonduc

(L.) Roxb.

Bonduc nut, Grey nicker

Fabaceae Edible: Seeds - Oil, Seeds - coffee, Caution, Leaves Potential hazards — see below

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Description

A scrambling shrub. It has long branches. They can be 15 m long. These have re-curved hooked spines. Young plant parts have brown hairs. The leaves are 30-80 cm long and twice divided. The final leaflets are 2-6 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The fruit are pods 5-9 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are prickly . There are 1-2 seeds. They are 1-2 cm across and very hard.

Edible Uses

The roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute.

Traditional Uses

The roasted seeds have been used as a coffee substitute. Caution:

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Nodules on the plant's roots contain symbiotic bacteria that fix nitrogen. This is used as a nutrient by the vine and also benefits other plants growing in close proximity. It is a popular local ornamental plant in Malaysia. This plant has been used in traditional medicine. The seeds have tonic and antipyretic properties and the bark and leaves have been used likewise. The root can be pounded to remedy caterpillar stings, it can be boiled and its broth drank to regulate menstruation. An oil extracted from the seeds has been used in cosmetics and for treating discharges from the ear. Tongans make the hard seeds (talatala 'amoa) into leis or play with them like marbles; its spiky leaves and stems are used in fruit bat snares.

Known Hazards

Seeds are noted with a caution flag; handle with care as they are very hard.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows near sea shores and up to 200 m above sea level. It can be up to 800 m.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Easter Island, Fiji, Gabon, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South America, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Taiwan, Tuvalu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds need treatment to break the hard seed coat.

Other Information

It is a cultivated plant.

Notes

Also as Caesalpinaceae. It is used as medicine.

Synonyms

Bonduc minus Medik.Caesalpinia bonduc Wight & Arn.Caesalpinia cristata Thunb.Guilandina bonduc L.and others

Also Known As

Fananomahery, Fever nut, Honi, Kaloklok, Kashi kaburan, Kemrunggi, M'koni, Mata de playa, Talamoa, Votalalaka

References (13)

Dansi, A., et al, 2008, Traditional leafy vegetables and their use in the Benin Republic. Genet Resour Crop Evol (2008) 55:1239–1256
Dansi, A., et al, 2009, Traditional leafy vegetables in Benin: folk nomenclature, species under threat and domestication. Acta Bot. Gallica 156(2), 183-199
Franklin, J., Keppel, G., & Whistler, W., 2008, The vegetation and flora of Lakeba, Nayau and Aiwa Islands, Central Lau Group, Fiji. Micronesica 40(1/2): 169–225, 2008
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 157
Melzer, R. & Plumb, J., 2011, Plants of Capricornia. Belgamba, Rockhampton. p 83

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PROTA
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Sujanapal, P., & Sankaran, K. V., 2016, Common Plants of Maldives. FAO & Kerala FRI, p 63
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 908
Thaman, R. R, 2016, The flora of Tuvalu. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 611. Smithsonian Institute p 88
Topp, J. M. W., 1988, An Annotated Check List of the Flora of Diego Garcia, British Ocean Territory. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 313 (Rare)
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (As Guilandina bonduc)
Zizka, G., 1991, Flowering Plants of Easter Island. Palmarum Hortus Francofurtensis