Anacardium occidentale L.
Cashew Tree / Jagus/Jambu (Bru.)
Acanthaceae
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial tree that can reach up to 10 m high. Leaves are simple, alternately and spirally arranged, glabrous and leathery. Leaf blade is elliptic to obovate, truncate or rounded at apex, broadly cuneate at base with entire or wavy margin and pinnate venation. Stems are branching and glabrous. Flowers are red or greenish-yellow and fragrant. Inflorescence a terminal panicle. Fruit a kidney-shaped nut with grayish-brown colour. The fruit stalk is swollen forming a pear-shaped cashew apple. Seeds are kidney- shaped with purplish-red colour that is edible and known as cashew nut.
Locally, the root decoction is taken to relieve fevers especially for children. Roots are chewed together with Allium cepa (onion) and Nigella sativa fennel floZers ElacN cumin rubbed onto the skin as a poultice and covered with bandage to relieve aching and swollen knees or joints. The plant is reported for its
It prefers fertile, moist but well-drained sandy soil. It is commonly found in coastal areas and midstorey and subcanopy forests.
Seeds.
Native to Brazil, Mexico and tropical America.
None