FRUITS AND NUTS
Anacardium occidentale Cashew nut, Ganjus Anacardiaceae
The cashew "apple," the enlarged fully ripe, fruit may be eaten raw, or preserved as jam or sweetmeat.Fruits or seeds of the cashew are consumed whole, roasted, shelled and salted.Shelling the roasted fruits yields the cashew nut of commerce. Seeds yield about 45% of a pale yellow, bland, edible oil, resembling almond oil. From the shells or hulls is extracted a black, acrid, powerful vesicant oil, used as a preservative and water-proofing agent in insulating varnishes, and for termite proofing timbers. Timber is used in furniture making, boat building. Bark used in tanning. Stems exude a clear gum, Cashawa gum, used in pharmaceuticals and as substitute for gum arabic. Juice turns black on exposure to air and provides an indelible ink.
Propagation is easy from fresh seed, planted directly into the ground
A tea of leaves and bark to treat diarrhea and colic remedy for infants. The toxic seed oil as an external worm medicine to kill botfly larvae under the skin. A wine made from the fruit is used for dysentery.
The fruit is taken for syphilis and as a diuretic, stimulant, and aphrodisiac. The leaves and/or the bark is also used for eczema, psoriasis, scrofula, dyspepsia, genital problems, and venereal diseases, as well as for impotence, bronchitis, cough, intestinal colic, leishmaniasis, and syphilis-related skin disorders.
Propagation is easy from fresh seed, planted directly into the ground
A tea of leaves and bark to treat diarrhea and colic remedy for infants. The toxic seed oil as an external worm medicine to kill botfly larvae under the skin. A wine made from the fruit is used for dysentery.
The fruit is taken for syphilis and as a diuretic, stimulant, and aphrodisiac. The leaves and/or the bark is also used for eczema, psoriasis, scrofula, dyspepsia, genital problems, and venereal diseases, as well as for impotence, bronchitis, cough, intestinal colic, leishmaniasis, and syphilis-related skin disorders.
Ananas comosus Pine apple, Nenas Bromeliaceae
Cultivated by Central American Indians for centuries, the pineappleÕs wild origin is believed to be in Brazil. It was praised by early European visitors as the finest of all fruit and shipped back to the Old World. To offer the expensive exotic to a guest was a great compliment; hence the use of pineapple motifs in architecture to symbolize hospitality. The leaf rosettes are up to 30 in (75 cm) high and 4 ft (1.2 m) wide. The sword-shaped leaves are viciously edged with tiny thorns, but recently smooth-leaved cultivars have been developed. It has an inflorescence up to 12 in (30 cm) long with yellow to red bracts and grows up to 4 ft (1.2 m) tall when in fruit. Fruit occurs in the second year if conditions are suitable.
Porteanus has leaves with a central yellow stripe, while Variegatus has leaves with cream marginal stripes and may develop red tints., Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. They are usually propagated from the basal suckers that develop on mature rosettes.
Porteanus has leaves with a central yellow stripe, while Variegatus has leaves with cream marginal stripes and may develop red tints., Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. They are usually propagated from the basal suckers that develop on mature rosettes.
Annona muricata Soursop, Durian Belanda Annonaceae
From northern South America, this grows to 15-20 ft (5-7 m), branching low with strongly ascending lateral growths.
New growths have brownish silky hairs; older leaves are glossy bright green.
The large green fruits are asymmetrically oval, covered in soft spines, and may be borne throughout the year.
Despite the name, the fluffy white aromatic flesh is not very sour.
Cultivation: They prefer sheltered sunny positions and fertile well-drained soils.
They may flower and fruit through much of the year. Leaves sed for cancer treatment for its anti tumour properties. Propagation is easy from freshly extracted seed, or by grafting for selected varieties.
New growths have brownish silky hairs; older leaves are glossy bright green.
The large green fruits are asymmetrically oval, covered in soft spines, and may be borne throughout the year.
Despite the name, the fluffy white aromatic flesh is not very sour.
Cultivation: They prefer sheltered sunny positions and fertile well-drained soils.
They may flower and fruit through much of the year. Leaves sed for cancer treatment for its anti tumour properties. Propagation is easy from freshly extracted seed, or by grafting for selected varieties.
Annona squamosa Custard apple Annonaceae
There are many varieties of custard apple, a popular fruit that originated in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Its flowers are pale green and pleasantly scented.
The large fruit has a custard-like texture and is delicious when eaten fresh.
This is a semi-deciduous tree growing to 15 ft (5 m).
Cultivation: They prefer sheltered sunny positions and fertile well-drained soils.
They may flower and fruit through much of the year.
Propagation is easy from freshly extracted seed, or by grafting for selected varieties.
Its flowers are pale green and pleasantly scented.
The large fruit has a custard-like texture and is delicious when eaten fresh.
This is a semi-deciduous tree growing to 15 ft (5 m).
Cultivation: They prefer sheltered sunny positions and fertile well-drained soils.
They may flower and fruit through much of the year.
Propagation is easy from freshly extracted seed, or by grafting for selected varieties.
Arachis hypogaea Peanut, Kacang tanah Leguminosaceae
The species name comes from the Greek for Ôbelow the earth, referring to the unique botanical feature of this plant.
It is an annual that requires a long, warm growing season for the fruit to mature fully. It grows to about 12 in (30 cm) tall and has leaves with 4 leaflets and the red-veined, yellow flowers.
Cultivation: Anyone can grow peanuts simply by purchasing raw peanuts from a health-food store and planting them just like beans, to which their cultivation requirements are very similar. The soil needs to be loose and open to allow the pegs to penetrate.
They require a protected, sunny position .
It is an annual that requires a long, warm growing season for the fruit to mature fully. It grows to about 12 in (30 cm) tall and has leaves with 4 leaflets and the red-veined, yellow flowers.
Cultivation: Anyone can grow peanuts simply by purchasing raw peanuts from a health-food store and planting them just like beans, to which their cultivation requirements are very similar. The soil needs to be loose and open to allow the pegs to penetrate.
They require a protected, sunny position .
Arenga pinnata Sugar palm Palmae
The Palm is duly noted as one the the world's most economically important palms for products of human consumption.
The Arenga pinnata is a solitary species, that produces an erect crown of verey large leaves and fibrous trunk spines.
At about 20 years of age, it begins flowering, fruiting, and will soon after, expire.
It is cultivated as a primary source of sugar throughout Eastern Asia, and India.
The sweet juice is collected from cut flower stalks and boiled down into table sugar, or fermented into an alcoholic beverage, similar to rum.
All the red fruits of Arenga species contain extremely irritating concentrations of oxylate crystals (that can cause gout-like pain!)
Low salt tolerance, Moderate Growth Rate;Propagation from seeds
The Arenga pinnata is a solitary species, that produces an erect crown of verey large leaves and fibrous trunk spines.
At about 20 years of age, it begins flowering, fruiting, and will soon after, expire.
It is cultivated as a primary source of sugar throughout Eastern Asia, and India.
The sweet juice is collected from cut flower stalks and boiled down into table sugar, or fermented into an alcoholic beverage, similar to rum.
All the red fruits of Arenga species contain extremely irritating concentrations of oxylate crystals (that can cause gout-like pain!)
Low salt tolerance, Moderate Growth Rate;Propagation from seeds
Arthocarpus heterophyllis Jackfruit, Nangka Moraceae
This Southeast Asian species is easily confused with its close relative the chempedak (Artocarpus integer).
Both have similar gigantic, compound fruit and leathery, unlobed leaves, but the chempedakÕs fruit are slightly sweeter.
The jackfruit tree grows to 30 ft (9 m) tall with a single main trunk and dense, rounded crown of dark green leaves.
The fruit may be up to 24 in (60 cm) long and weigh up to 40 lb (18 kg).
Their outer surface is creamy brown with crowded small, conical protuberances, and the sticky yellow or pink flesh contains many large brown seeds which are edible, as is the sweet though malodorous flesh.
Cultivation: Edible-fruited species are cultivated in the wet tropics, thriving best in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in sheltered positions.
Propagation is from seed, or more commonly from root cuttings or aerial layers (marcotts), which perpetuate desirable clones.
Both have similar gigantic, compound fruit and leathery, unlobed leaves, but the chempedakÕs fruit are slightly sweeter.
The jackfruit tree grows to 30 ft (9 m) tall with a single main trunk and dense, rounded crown of dark green leaves.
The fruit may be up to 24 in (60 cm) long and weigh up to 40 lb (18 kg).
Their outer surface is creamy brown with crowded small, conical protuberances, and the sticky yellow or pink flesh contains many large brown seeds which are edible, as is the sweet though malodorous flesh.
Cultivation: Edible-fruited species are cultivated in the wet tropics, thriving best in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in sheltered positions.
Propagation is from seed, or more commonly from root cuttings or aerial layers (marcotts), which perpetuate desirable clones.
Artocarpus altilis Breadfruit, Sukun Moraceae
Believed to be native to the Malay region and carried into the Pacific by colonizing Polynesians, this species has handsome foliage, with ascending branches bearing deeply incised leaves up to 30 in (75 cm) long of a fresh green shade.
It is fast growing in younger stages, old trees are not much taller but develop a rounded, bushy crown.
The flower spikes are inconspicuous, the female ones developing into yellowish green, tough-skinned, globular fruit with starchy flesh that is eaten after baking or boiling.
Cultivation: Edible-fruited species are cultivated in the wet tropics.
Propagation is from seed, or more commonly from root cuttings or aerial layers (marcotts), which perpetuate desirable clones.
It is fast growing in younger stages, old trees are not much taller but develop a rounded, bushy crown.
The flower spikes are inconspicuous, the female ones developing into yellowish green, tough-skinned, globular fruit with starchy flesh that is eaten after baking or boiling.
Cultivation: Edible-fruited species are cultivated in the wet tropics.
Propagation is from seed, or more commonly from root cuttings or aerial layers (marcotts), which perpetuate desirable clones.
Averhoa bilimbi Bilimbi, Belimbing Buluh Oxalidaceae
Similar to the carambola but of lesser importance as a commercial fruit, the bilimbi is similar in growth habit but its pinnate leaves are longer, with up to 40 leaflets.
The smaller fruit are only bluntly 5-angled and are generally not so sweet.
Propagation is from seed or more commonly by grafts or air-layers (marcotts) which preserve desirable clonal characteristics.
Medical use: In various ways in traditional medicine (e.g. skin disorders, fevers). Leaf decoction heals inflammation of the rectum. As paste it is applied on the affected surface area for mumps, rheumatism and pimples. Infusion of the flowers relieve coughs and thrush. Preserved fruit for beri-beri and disorders of the bile and liver. Leaves, flower, fruit are consumed for stomachache, wounds, stomatitis,whooping cough, bleeding, gums, acne and hypertension; as well as antitussive and antidiabetic.
The smaller fruit are only bluntly 5-angled and are generally not so sweet.
Propagation is from seed or more commonly by grafts or air-layers (marcotts) which preserve desirable clonal characteristics.
Medical use: In various ways in traditional medicine (e.g. skin disorders, fevers). Leaf decoction heals inflammation of the rectum. As paste it is applied on the affected surface area for mumps, rheumatism and pimples. Infusion of the flowers relieve coughs and thrush. Preserved fruit for beri-beri and disorders of the bile and liver. Leaves, flower, fruit are consumed for stomachache, wounds, stomatitis,whooping cough, bleeding, gums, acne and hypertension; as well as antitussive and antidiabetic.
Averhoa carambola Starfruit, Belimbing manis Oxalidaceae
Cultivation this species of rather upright form normally makes a small tree about 20 ft (6 m) high. The leaflets of the compound leaves have the curious habit of folding together after being touched or at night.
It flowers and fruits through much of the year, but with major flushes of flower in the middle of the wet and the middle of the dry season.
The large, ornamental fruit ripen through pale yellow, when their flavor is pleasantly acid, to deep golden orange, when they become sweet and deliciously tangy, reminiscent of passionfruit.
Cultivation: The trees are easily grown in full sun ,making fine small shade
It flowers and fruits through much of the year, but with major flushes of flower in the middle of the wet and the middle of the dry season.
The large, ornamental fruit ripen through pale yellow, when their flavor is pleasantly acid, to deep golden orange, when they become sweet and deliciously tangy, reminiscent of passionfruit.
Cultivation: The trees are easily grown in full sun ,making fine small shade
Durio zibethinus Durian tree, Durian Bombacaceae
The durian is notorious for its putrid smell, but is widely cultivated as a fruit tree in the Asian tropics.
The tree grows to 120 ft (36 m) in the wild. Leaves are 8 in (20 cm) long, dark green above and paler on the undersides.
The greenish white or pink flowers, in clusters of 3 to 30, grow directly on the trunk and branches.
The large, spiny, green to yellow fruits are up to 15 in (38 cm) long.
Cultivation: They prefer moist, humus-rich soil with full sun or dappled shade.
The species may be propagated from seed but the best fruiting cultivars are grafted or budded
The tree grows to 120 ft (36 m) in the wild. Leaves are 8 in (20 cm) long, dark green above and paler on the undersides.
The greenish white or pink flowers, in clusters of 3 to 30, grow directly on the trunk and branches.
The large, spiny, green to yellow fruits are up to 15 in (38 cm) long.
Cultivation: They prefer moist, humus-rich soil with full sun or dappled shade.
The species may be propagated from seed but the best fruiting cultivars are grafted or budded
Conditions of Use and Important Information: This information on the above herb is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects.
The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. These supplements mentioned are not intended to cure, treat, diagnose or prevent disease. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only.
Kelab Rakan-Rakan Herba KK Sabah does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence.
Site design and webmaster : Ganesan. T Questions or concerns can be directed to the webmaster at [email protected]
The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. These supplements mentioned are not intended to cure, treat, diagnose or prevent disease. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only.
Kelab Rakan-Rakan Herba KK Sabah does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence.
Site design and webmaster : Ganesan. T Questions or concerns can be directed to the webmaster at [email protected]