Fish Poison Tree
Barringtonia racemosa

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree or shrub reaching a height of 10-16 m. It spreads to 5 m across. The stem is erect and branching. The tree has a rounded crown. The leaves are crowded at the ends of the branches. They are dark green and 25 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. Leaves can be twice this size. They are pointed at both ends and with toothed edges. The branches are marked with leaf scars. The flowers are white or pink and about 2 cm across. They occur in hanging stalks with individual flowers along the stalk. These stalks can be 25 cm long. The fruit hang along these stalks. The fruit is oblong to oval and somewhat 4 angled. Fruit can be 8 cm long and 2-5 cm wide. They are oval and irregular. They are green or purple. They contain only one seed.

Many parts of the plant are used to stun fish. There are about 40 Barringtonia species. It possibly has anti-cancer properties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It prefers well-drained, moist, humus rich soil. It can grow in a sheltered, partly shaded position. It is drought tender and very frost tender. Found throughout the Philippines in areas of shrub near the seashore and open lowlands up to 320 m altitude. It grows in coastal swamps and along stream banks. It can resist strong sea breezes. It is salt tolerant. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Carolines, China, Christmas Island, Chuuk, Comoros, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Yap

How it is used for food

The seeds and young leaves are eaten. The seeds are pounded and starch extracted. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are first soaked in lime water. Caution: The fruit are used to poison wild pigs.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seeds, caution

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed need to be sown fresh. It can be grown from cuttings.

Trees grow easily and rapidly.

Its other names

Local names

Butun darat, Cassowary pine, Foto-be, Freshwater mangrove, Ijjal, Jik, Kaiengal, Kyi-byu, Mango Pine, Massinhava, Midhilijan, Mtoko, Mutovatova, Paopao, Pneggung, Poeierkwasboom, Pohon putat sungai, Powder-puff tree, Putat darat, Putat kamp, Putat kampung, Putat kedul, Putat sungai, Rfungue, Samudraphala, Taung-kyi

Synonyms

Barringtonia apiculata (Miers) R. Knuth [Illegitimate]; Barringtonia caffra (Miers) E. Mey. ex R. Knuth; Barringtonia caffra E. Mey.; Barringtonia celebesensis R. Knuth; Barringtonia ceramensis R. Knuth; Barringtonia ceylanica (Miers) Gardner ex C. B. Clarke; Barringtonia elongata Korth.; Barringtonia excelsa A. Gray; Barringtonia inclyta Miers Ex B. D. Jacks. [Invalid]; Barringtonia lageniformis Merr. & L. M. Perry; Barringtonia longiracemosa C. T. White; Barringtonia obtusangula R. Knuth; Barringtonia pallida Koord. & Valeton; Barringtonia racemosa Oliv.; Barringtonia racemosa var. elongata (Korth.) Blume; Barringtonia racemosa var. minor Blume; Barringtonia racemosa var. procera Blume; Barringtonia racemosa var. subcuneata Miq.; Barringtonia rosaria Oken; Barringtonia rosata (Sonn.) R. Knuth; Barringtonia rumphiana (Miers) R. Knuth; Barringtonia salomonensis Rech.; Barringtonia stravadium Blanco; Barringtonia terrestris (Miers) R. Knuth; Barringtonia timorensis Blume; Butonica alba (Pers.) Miers [Illegitimate]; Butonica apiculata Miers; Butonica caffra Miers; Butonica ceylanica Miers; Butonica inclyta Miers; Butonica racemosa (L.) Juss.; Butonica rosata (Sonn.) Miers; Butonica rumphiana Miers; Butonica terrestris Miers; Caryophyllus racemosus (L.) Stokes; Eugenia racemosa L.; Huttum racemosum (L.) Britten; Megadendron ambiguum Miers; Megadendron pallidum Miers; Menichea rosata Sonn.; Michelia apiculata (Miers) Kuntze; Michelia ceylanica (Miers) Kuntze; Michelia racemosa (L.) Kuntze; Michelia rosata (Sonn.) Kuntze; Michelia timorensis (Blume) Kuntze; Stravadium album Pers. [Illegitimate]; Stravadium obtusangulum Blume; Stravadium racemosum (L.) Sweet; Stravadium racemosa (L.) Miers; Stravadium rubrum DC. [Illegitimate];