Indian oak, Red Barringtonia
Barringtonia acutangula
Family: Lecythidaceae
What it is like
A small tree. It grows 4-15 m tall. The trunk can be 40-80 cm across. It can have several stems. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are broad and sword shaped. They taper to the base. They are bright green. The edges sometimes have small teeth. They are 4-14 cm long by 2-4.5 cm wide. The flowers are bright red. They are in heads 30 cm long. These hang downwards. The fruit are green and 4 angled. They are woody and 3.5 cm long. There is one seed and it has a groove.
There are about 40 Barringtonia species. These were in the Barringtoniaceae and are now in the Lecythidaceae. This species is used as a fish poison due to the saponins. The leaves are very high in antioxidants.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in moist places along rivers. It needs light and humidity. It grows near lakes and can grow in brackish water. It suits humid shady places. It is damaged by drought and frost. It occasionally grows up to 400 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous. The young shoots are eaten in salads with fish sauce. The young flowers are also eaten.
Leaves are sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers, fruit
How it is grown
It can be grown from fresh seed or cuttings.
It flowers and fruits throughout the year.
Its other names
Local names
Barrenka, Chiec, Chik na, Chik num, Freshwater Mangrove, Hijal, Himbabalod, Hole kauva, Ingar, Ipil, Itchy Tree, Jiig, Kadapa, Kadon naam, Kandu almond, Kra don, Kyi, Kyi-ni, Lik vung, Loc vung, Mai chik, Neerpezhu, Pak kradon nam, Pangpanik, Phak kadon naam, Piwar, Poetat, Pooy-sai, Putat lembik, Putat nasi, Putat tayap, Putat, Raing toek, Reang toek, Stream Barringtonia, Ye-kyi
Synonyms
Barringtonia alba Kostel. invalid; Barringtonia rubra Baill. ex Laness. [Illegitimate]; Barringtonia terrestris (Miers) Kunth; Butonica acutangula Lam.; Butonica terrestris Miers; Careya coccinea (Lour.) A. Chev.; Caryophyllus acutangula (L.) Stokes; Eugenia acutangula L.; Huttum acutangulum (L.) Britten; Michelia acutangula (L.) Kuntze; Stravadia alba Pers.; Stravadia rubra Pers.; Stravadium acutangulum (L.) Miers; Stravadium acutangulum (L.) Sweet; Stravadium rheedii Blume; Tsjeria-samstravadi Rheede; and others