Teri pods, Udakiryaka
Caesalpinia digyna

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

Caesalpinia digyna is an evergreen Shrub growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Rather dry open habitats up to 250 metres in Indonesia. Thickets, light forests and forest borders, in Indo-China up to 1,200 metres.

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Malaysia to Indonesia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Regional Crop (These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cotton and many nuts and staple fruits. Staple Crop: Protein-oil (16+ per cent protein, 16+ per cent oil). (Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou).

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 2

The root is astringent. It is given internally in the treatment of phthisis, scrofula and diabetes. Teri Pods yield the glycoside bergenin, which gives the plant its therapeutic properties. As an antioxidant, Teri Pods are revered as a tonic and physical rejuvenative. As an antipyretic, it lowers fever. As an astringent on topical application will heal wounds more quickly.

Antipyretic: Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 4

The roots and the seedpods are a source of tannins. Very rich in tannin, they are used in local tanning industries. The pods can also serve to prepare a blackish or bluish dye and black ink, and are sometimes employed as a mordanting agent. The wood is reported to contain a red dye. The pods contain an oil that can be used in lamps. Fodder (Pod Fodder plants with pods). Industrial Crop: Starch (Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks).

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Fodder: Food given to the animals (including plants cut and carried to them) rather than forage for themselves.

Ink: Plants that can be used as an ink.

Mordant: Used for making a dye more permanent, it also affects the colour of the dye.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Fodder: Pod: Fodder plants with pods.

Industrial Crop: Oil: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, biomass, glycerin, soaps, lubricants, paints, biodiesel. Oilseed crop types.

Industrial Crop: Starch: Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.

Industrial Crop: Tannin: Occur generally in the roots, wood, bark, leaves, and fruit of many plants. Used in tanning leather, dyeing fabric, making ink, and medical applications.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Fodder: Pod: Fodder plants with pods.

Industrial Crop: Oil: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, biomass, glycerin, soaps, lubricants, paints, biodiesel. Oilseed crop types.

Industrial Crop: Starch: Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.

Industrial Crop: Tannin: Occur generally in the roots, wood, bark, leaves, and fruit of many plants. Used in tanning leather, dyeing fabric, making ink, and medical applications.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Succeeds in warm temperate to tropical climates. Succeeds in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Requires a position in full sun. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagating it: Seed - pre-soak for 12 - 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out. Softwood cuttings in sand in a frame.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Gilo, Khvaw baba, Kalein, Khvaw banla, Mak-sup-ka-lun, Moc-meo xanh, Nune-gacca, Sun-lethe, Umul-kuchi, Vakeri-mul, Vakerimula

Synonyms

Caesalpinia oleosperma Roxb.