Marking nut, Oriental Cashew
Semecarpus anacardium

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

It is a small evergreen tree. It grows to 5-15 m tall and spreads to 2 m across. The bark is dark brown and rough. The stem is erect and branching. The branches are irregular and hollow and covered with brown air pores. The leaves are crowded at the top of branches. The leaves end in a short point. They are papery and wavy. The leaves are oblong and 25-43 cm long by 15 cm wide. They are brown on the upper surface and hairy underneath. The midribs are prominent on both surfaces. The leaf stalk is 3 cm long. The leaf stalk is enlarged and grooved. The flowers are greenish white. They are arranged in a large cluster over 1 m long and at the ends of branches. The fruit are round and orange. They are borne on a fleshy receptacle. The fruit is 3 cm long. The nut is kidney-shaped and 2.5 cm long by 1.8 cm across. It is covered with fine ridges. The inner flesh is edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It does best in light, rich, moist soils. It needs a protected, sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It occurs in the tropical lowlands on the banks of creeks. In Nepal it grows to about 1700 m altitude. It is fairly common in the hotter parts of India in the deciduous forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Cuba, East Africa, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mauritius, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, West Indies

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Poisonous. Unripe fruit are poisonous. Fruit should be roasted or dried. The roasted nut is eaten in some places. They should not be used in large amounts. The roasted fruit rind is eaten. The young fruit are eaten as a pickle with salt and vinegar. The receptacles are eaten after roasting. They are also dried. The ripe fruit are eaten. The swollen fruit stalk is eaten after roasting.

It is cultivated in tropical Asia.

Edible parts

Nuts, green fruit, fruit stalk

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Balia, Baola, Barla, Beda, Bela, Bhalai, Bhalay, Bhalayo, Bhallataki, Bhela, Bhelatuki, Bhelnwa, Bhelva, Bhelwa, Bhilao, Bhilamo, Bhilamu, Bhilava, Bhilawa, Bhilwa, Bholaguti, Bhollia, Bhularva, Biba, Bibaa, Bibba, Bibbo, Bibha, Billava, Bilva, Bilwa, Che, Chera, Dhobi nut, Dieng-soh-bhala, Erimugi, Goddu geru, Gunjum, Jidi, Kalabhalia, Karigeru, Kawh-tebel, Kohka, Mai-ka-aung, Marany Nut, Marsh Nut, Nalla cheedi, Nalla jeedi, Nuez de marcar, Pohon rengas tinta, Ryak, Shenkotta, Shenkottei, Soso, Thenkotta, Thitsi-bo, Valayo, Varnish Tree

Synonyms

Anacardium latifolium Lam.; Anacardium longifolium Lam.; Anacardium officinale Pritz.; and others