Crateva religiosa magna

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A tree which loses its leaves for a short time. It grows 6-20 m high. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are narrowly oval and 15-20 cm long. They taper to the tips. The leaf stalks are 7-10 cm long. The flower petals are white when young but turn cream to pink. They are broadly oval and 15 cm long. The stamens are purple and wiry. They are 10-13 cm long. The fruit are round and ash-coloured. The fruit stalk is 5-8 cm long. The seeds are hard, dark brown and 0.5 cm across. They are in a yellow pulp. Caution: Records confused. They are probably now all Crateva religiosa.

There are 6 Crateva species. The bark and leaves are used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs a fertile, well-drained soil. It grows on river banks and around rice paddies. It can survive occasional flooding. It needs full sun. It grows in low hills up to 600 m altitude in shady situations near streams in India. It can tolerate drought and suits dry areas but is sensitive to frost when young. It suits plant hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The flowers and fruit are edible after a long processing being squashed in vinegar. The young leaves and flowers are pickled. The fruit is occasionally eaten.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed can take many months to germinate. Seedlings can be transplanted. Plants can also be grown from root suckers.

Growth is slow.

Its other names

Local names

Barna, Barun, Bulan ayer, Bulan betul, Bun, Burmese dalur, Dala, Kum-nam, Maralingam, Thunlie thom, Vayavarna

Synonyms

Crateva hygrophylla; Crateva lophosperma Kurz; Crateva nurvala Buch.-Ham.; Crateva religious auct. non Forst.f.; Creteva religiosa Hook.f. & Thoms. non Forst.f.;