Fish Killer tree, Beach Barringtonia
Barringtonia asiatica
Family: Lecythidaceae
What it is like
A small tree. It is 5-9 m tall. It can grow up to 25 m. It spreads to 3-5 m wide. The trunk is short and erect and branches occur from near the base. The leaves are 20 to 40 cm long and 10-15 cm wide and without individual leaf stalks. They are shiny light green, and larger near the tip than the base. The tip is rounded and somewhat pointed. The flowers are large and pink and white. They are 3-5 cm across. The fruit is sharply 4 and rarely 5-angled. The fruit are 12 cm across, woody and broad at one end. They contain one large seed.
The seeds are used as a fish poison due to a chemical saponin. There are about 40 Barringtonia species. The seeds contain Hydrocyanic acid and triterpene acids.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. They occur along the seashore throughout the islands of Asia and the Pacific. Trees often lean out over the sea. It prefers well-composted, moist, well-drained soil. It can grow easily in sandy soil. It can tolerate salty soils. It suits a protected sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cambodia, Carolines, Chuuk, Comoros, Cook Islands, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Mascarenes, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tahiti, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Indies
How it is used for food
The young leaf shoots may be eaten fresh. The young flowers are also eaten. The young fruit have been recorded eaten as a vegetable. Cooking destroys the saponins. CAUTION This plant is used as a fish poison. They contain saponins. The seeds are oily and toxic. They have been recorded as being cooked and eaten in Indonesia and the Andaman Islands.
It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea. A very minor food.
Edible parts
Leaves, pods, seeds, fruit, flowers, caution
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from cuttings or seed. Seed need to be sown fresh. Seed germinate readily. Young trees need shade. Plants can be grown by layering.
Seed take up to 2 months to germinate but seedlings grow very quickly.
Its other names
Local names
Bitung, Botong, Butun, Fish Poison Tree, Futu, Hotu, Hutu, Keben, Keiengal, Kimbi, Kinbi, Kyi-gyi, Motong-botong, Navel, Pertun, Putat ayer, Putat gajah, Putat laut, Puteng, Queens of shores, Reang, Sea putat, Te baireati, Vutu, Waap, Waba, Waiep, Wan bibi
Synonyms
Agasta asiatica (L.) Miers; Agasta indica Miers; Agasta splendida Miers; Barringtonia butonica J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.; Barringtonia levenquii Jardin; Barringtonia littorea Oken; Barringtonia senequei Jard.; Barringtonia speciosa J. R. & G Forst.; Barringtonia speciosa L. f.; Butonica speciosa (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Lam.; Commersonia speciosa (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Britten; Doxomma magnificum Miers; Huttum speciosum (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Britten; Mammea asiatica L.; Michelia asiatica (L.) Kuntze; Mitraria commersonia J. F. Gmel.;