Hydnocarpus oil tree
ZZ Hydnocarpus pentandrus

Family: Achariaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10 m tall. The bark is pale brown with white patches. The leaves are simple and alternate. They taper to the tip. The edges can have rounded teeth. Plants are separately male and female. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit are woody berries. They are 5-7 cm across and have a round brown surface. There are several yellow seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests in the Western Ghats in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Oil - medicine

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Chaulmoogra, Kavanthi, Jangli almond

Synonyms

Chilmoria pentandra Buch.-Ham.; Hydnocarpus inebrians Wall.; and others