Semecarpus anacardium

Semecarpus anacardium, commonly known as the marking nut tree, Malacca bean tree, marany nut, oriental cashew, dhobi nut tree and varnish tree, is a native of India, found in the outer Himalayas to the Coromandel Coast. It is closely related to the cashew.

Description

It is a small evergreen tree. It grows to 5-15 m tall and spreads to 2 m across. The bark is dark brown and rough. The stem is erect and branching. The branches are irregular and hollow and covered with brown air pores. The leaves are crowded at the top of branches. The leaves end in a short point. They are papery and wavy. The leaves are oblong and 25-43 cm long by 15 cm wide. They are brown on the upper surface and hairy underneath. The midribs are prominent on both surfaces. The leaf stalk is 3 cm long. The leaf stalk is enlarged and grooved. The flowers are greenish white. They are arranged in a large cluster over 1 m long and at the ends of branches. The fruit are round and orange. They are borne on a fleshy receptacle. The fruit is 3 cm long. The nut is kidney-shaped and 2.5 cm long by 1.8 cm across. It is covered with fine ridges. The inner flesh is edible.

Edible Uses

Care must be taken when using this plant as food — as with the related cashew nut, an oil from the shell has a strong irritant effect on the skin. The seeds are edible roasted and have an almond-like flavour. Young fruits are used pickled, and the roasted fruit rinds are eaten by local people. The pulp of the pedicels is also roasted and eaten.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: Poisonous. Unripe fruit are poisonous. Fruit should be roasted or dried. The roasted nut is eaten in some places. They should not be used in large amounts. The roasted fruit rind is eaten. The young fruit are eaten as a pickle with salt and vinegar. The receptacles are eaten after roasting. They are also dried. The ripe fruit are eaten. The swollen fruit stalk is eaten after roasting.

Medicinal Uses

Ripe fruits are aphrodisiac, digestive, and stimulant. A paste or juice of the fruit is used to treat bronchitis, dysentery, fever, asthma, and haemorrhoids. The pure black acrid juice from the fruits is applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains, aches, and sprains — a small amount is rubbed over the affected area, and it is considered an effective remedy except in those prone to inflammations and swellings. Combined with garlic and other substances, the juice is used for a wide range of venereal complaints. The bark is mildly astringent. A paste of the seed mixed with honey treats gastric troubles. Seed juice applied externally addresses ringworm and severely chapped feet, and has also been tested as a possible anticancer agent. An oil from the seeds treats skin eruptions. Root juice is considered effective at causing sterility in women. The latex is applied externally for headaches, skin diseases, and scabies.

Known Hazards

The shell surrounding the seed contains a strongly irritant substance. If this is the same as for the related cashew nut, then it will be destroyed by roasting. The plant is poisonous to the touch in the same manner as poison ivy (Toxicodendron spp), bringing the skin up in a severe rash.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It does best in light, rich, moist soils. It needs a protected, sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It occurs in the tropical lowlands on the banks of creeks. In Nepal it grows to about 1700 m altitude. It is fairly common in the hotter parts of India in the deciduous forest.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Cuba, East Africa, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mauritius, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants are adaptable to a variety of tropical and subtropical conditions. An easily grown plant requiring very little attention once established, it succeeds in soils that are too poor to support other crops. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 - 6.5. Dioecious - both male and female forms need to be grown if fruits and seed are required.

Propagation

By seed.

Other Uses

The rind surrounding the seed yields a type of indelible ink. The juice of the pedicels, mixed with lime water, serves as a black marking ink for writing on cloth. A black dye is also obtained from the pedicels. The seeds are a source of tannins. Seed oil has multiple industrial applications including use as a floor dressing, as an additive in lacquers, dyes, and insulating materials, in the plastics industry, for regenerating rubber, and to protect wood from white ants. A gum is obtained from the tree. The wood contains an acrid juice that makes it hazardous for those who work with it, and it is used to make charcoal.

Other Information

It is cultivated in tropical Asia.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Balia, Baola, Barla, Beda, Bela, Bhalai, Bhalay, Bhalayo, Bhallataki, Bhela, Bhelatuki, Bhelnwa, Bhelva, Bhelwa, Bhilao, Bhilamo, Bhilamu, Bhilava, Bhilawa, Bhilwa, Bholaguti, Bhollia, Bhularva, Biba, Bibaa, Bibba, Bibbo, Bibha, Billava, Bilva, Bilwa, Che, Chera, Dhobi nut, Dieng-soh-bhala, Erimugi, Goddu geru, Gunjum, Jidi, Kalabhalia, Karigeru, Kawh-tebel, Kohka, Mai-ka-aung, Marany Nut, Marsh Nut, Nalla cheedi, Nalla jeedi, Nuez de marcar, Pohon rengas tinta, Ryak, Shenkotta, Shenkottei, Soso, Thenkotta, Thitsi-bo, Valayo, Varnish Tree

References (61)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 566
• Aberoumand, A., 2008, Comparison of protein values from seven wild edible plants of Iran. African Journal of Food Science. Vol 2. pp 73-76
• Acharya K. P. and Acharya, R., 2010, Eating from the Wild: Indigenous knowledge on wild edible plants in Parroha VDC of Rupandehi District, Central Nepal. International Journal of Social Forestry. 3(1):28-48
• BARC, 2016, State of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 924

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