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Barringtonia edulis - Seem.

Common Name Vutu kana, Cut nut
Family Lecythidaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dense and open forests, woodland and grassland, at elevations up to 400 metres[490 , 658 ]. Humid sites.
Range Southwestern Pacific - Fiji, Vanuatu.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Barringtonia edulis Vutu kana, Cut nut


wikimedia.org/wiki/User:MurielBendel
Barringtonia edulis Vutu kana, Cut nut
wikimedia.org/wiki/User:MurielBendel

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Barringtonia edulis is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Moths, Bats.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Butonica edulis (Seem.) Miers Huttum edule (Seem.) Britten

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Seed
Edible Uses: Tea

Seed - raw or cooked[324 , 490 , 658 ]. A flavour like raw peanuts[324 ]. The seed kernel inside the hard shell can be 3cm by 1cm in size[658 ]. Fruit - raw or cooked[324 ]. Insipid[324 ]. Fruit of the Barringtonia edulis is a rare fruit. Suitable for snacks for children, a good source of energy.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Abortifacient  Stomachic

The bark is used in the treatment of stomach ailments and gonorrhoea[339 ]. A strong tea made from the bark is claimed to induce abortion and definitive sterility[389 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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Other Uses

Fuel  Wood

The wood is light in weight. It is used for canoe paddles, casing, light construction[339 ]. The wood is used as a quick-burning firewood[339 ]. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Carbon Farming  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Management: Standard  Regional Crop  Staple Crop: Balanced carb

Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade.

Carbon Farming

  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
  • Staple Crop: Balanced carb  (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Hufa'a, Fiji: vutu; Niue: 'ai; Papua New Guinea: pau; Solomons: fala; Tonga: 'ai; Vanuatu: navels; Wallis & Futuna: vutu kai

Native Range

PACIFIC: Fiji, Vanuatu,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Barringtonia novae hiberniaePao NutTree10.0 10-12 FLMHNM422
Barringtonia proceraPao nuts, Cut nutTree10.0 10-12 MLMHSNM422

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Seem.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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Subject : Barringtonia edulis  
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