Bonduc nut, Grey nicker
Caesalpinia bonduc

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

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.

Also as Caesalpinaceae. It is used as medicine.

Where it is found

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.

Countries/locations it is found in

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, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South America, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Taiwan, Tuvalu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

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

It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Seeds - oil, seeds - coffee, caution, leaves

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

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

Synonyms

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