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    Home»Herbs and Spices»Facts about Powder Puff Tree
    Herbs and Spices

    Facts about Powder Puff Tree

    By SylviaApril 2, 2018Updated:April 2, 2018No Comments7 Mins Read
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    Facts about Powder Puff Tree

    Powder Puff Tree scientifically known as Barringtonia racemosa is actually a small tree in the family Lecythidaceae (Brazil-nut family) native to coastal areas of eastern Africa from Somalia to South Africa, through Madagascar and other Indian Ocean islands to tropical south Asia, southeast Asia, southern China, the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, northern Australia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Some of the popular common names of the plants include Barringtonia, Brack-Water Mangrove, Common Putat, Fish-Killer Tree, Fish-Poison Tree, Fish- Poison Wood, Freshwater Mangrove, Hippo Apple, Powder-Puff Tree, Putat, Small-Leaved Barringtonia and Wild Guava.

    The genus Barringtonia contains 56 species and is named after Daines Barrington, an 18th century botanist, jurist and antiquary. The specific name racemosa refers to the long racemes on which the flowers and fruit are borne. B. racemosa is the only indigenous species of this genus occurring in South Africa. Two Asian species exist in cultivation in the Durban Botanic Gardens- B. asiatica and B. acutangula. It is a multipurpose tree; that is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is occasionally planted as a roadside tree.

    Plant Description

    Powder Puff Tree is a small, fast-growing, evergreen tree that grows about 4–8 m high but can attain a height of 15 m. The plant occurs primarily in primary and secondary forests in inundated flood plains on tidal river banks, or in mangrove swamp and estuarine localities. It is also found in undisturbed to slightly open (disturbed) mixed dipterocarp to sub-montane forests. The plant normally tolerates saline condition but does best in heavy clays, sandy loams or rich volcanic soils. It tolerates dry conditions but is intolerant of any frost. The plant has rounded crown, greyish-brown, smooth or fissured bark and spreading surface roots.

    Leaves

    Leaves are alternating, borne on glabrous, 2–15 mm long petioles, often clustered toward the end of branches. Leaf lamina is deep green, large, obovate oblong, 8–35 cm by 4–14 cm, with cuneate base acute or acuminate apex and serrate crenulate margins.

    Flower

    Flowers produced in pendant, terminal or axillary many-flowered racemes up to 60–100 cm long. The flowers exude a pungent, putrid yet faintly sweet odor. Flowers are white to pale pink, bisexual, 4-merous, sepals fused at base separate into 4 concave lobes, green tinged pink; petals elliptic to oblong-ovate, up to 3 x 1 cm, joined to staminal tube, stamens numerous with 3–3.5 cm long filaments, white or pinkish, forming a central mass; ovary 2–4 loculed with a red style.

    Fruit

    Fruit is ovoid-cylindric, somewhat quadrangular with 4 ridges, 5–9 by 3–4 cm, with green, green tinged purplish ripening to purplish-red, pericarp with persistent calyx remnants and style. Each fruit has a large, ovoid, 2–3 cm seed surrounded by the fibrous, spongy flesh. Seeds are aromatic. The Powder-puff tree is a protected tree in South Africa.

    Powder Puff Tree Facts about Powder Puff Tree Image Gallery
    Flowering-buds-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Flowering-buds-of-Powder-Puff-Tree
    Flower-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Flower-of-Powder-Puff-Tree
    Flower-of-Powder-Puff-Tree--falling-on-the-floor Flower-of-Powder-Puff-Tree--falling-on-the-floor

    Fruits-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Fruits-of-Powder-Puff-Tree
    Half-cut-fruit-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Half-cut-fruit-of-Powder-Puff-Tree
    Leaves-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Leaves-of-Powder-Puff-Tree

    Plant-Illustration-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Plant-Illustration-of-Powder-Puff-Tree
    Powder-Puff-Tree Powder-Puff-Tree
    Seeds-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Seeds-of-Powder-Puff-Tree

    Sketch-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Sketch-of-Powder-Puff-Tree
    Trunk-of-Powder-Puff-Tree] Trunk-of-Powder-Puff-Tree]
    Young_leaves-of-Powder-Puff-Tree Young_leaves-of-Powder-Puff-Tree

    Traditional Uses of Powder Puff Tree

    • Zulus used the fruit as a therapy for malaria South Africa.
    • Extracts or preparations of the fruit have been used against malaria, cough, asthma, jaundice, headache, eye inflammation, diarrhea and sores.
    • Bark decoction is applied externally to treat rheumatism.
    • Seeds were used to treat eye inflammation and by midwives for parturition.
    • Root decoction was used as a febrifuge in eastern Africa.
    • Barringtonia racemosa has been used widely in traditional medicine for anti-inflammation and anticancer in Malaysia.
    • Leaves traditionally were used to treat high blood pressure and as a depurative.
    • Pounded leaves alone or together with the root or bark have been used to treat chicken pox.
    • Leaves have been used to treat high blood pressure and as a depurative.
    • Warmed juice from the fruit has been used for treating ulcerated nose.
    • Fruit has been used for poulticing for sore throat and cutaneous eruptions and was found efficacious in coughs, asthma, and diarrhea in India.
    • Roots have cooling properties and were used as deobstruent.
    • Seeds are aromatic and found useful in treating colics and ophthalmic problems.
    • Ethno medical survey has shown that the seeds of Barringtonia racemosa are traditionally used in certain remote villages of Kerala (India) to treat cancer like diseases.
    • Bark has been used externally in decoction as an anti-rheumatic in Philippines.
    • Decoction of the bark is externally applied as an antirheumatic and to treat chickenpox.
    • Bark is applied externally to treat chicken pox and as a poultice to relieve itch.
    • Fruit is used to treat coughs, asthma and diarrhea.
    • Fruit is used externally for poulticing sore throat and skin eruptions.
    • Decoction of the scraped nut is drunk to relieve a cough, sinusitis or bronchitis.
    • Although considered poisonous, the seeds are used to treat intestinal worms, and are used by midwives for promoting parturition.
    • Seed is peeled, mixed with flour and oil, and used in the treatment of diarrhea.
    • Seed is used externally to treat ophthalmia.
    • Kernels of the drupe are mixed with milk to treat bilious diseases and jaundice.
    • Seed has been used as an insecticide and tonic.
    • Seeds along with other ingredients are employed in preparations for the treatment of itch, piles and typhoid fever.
    • Bark is also used for gastric ulcers.

    Culinary Uses

    • Fruits and leaves are commonly sold in the local day and weekend markets in Peninsular Malaysia.
    • Young leaves and fruit are edible. Leaves are usually soaked in lime water first in order to remove their bitterness.
    • Young leaves are often eaten raw as ulam dipped in sambal, or cooked as vegetable in Malaysia.
    • Fruit is also eaten as ulam or pickled.
    • Fruit is also pounded to extract the starchy content, which is made into cakes.
    • Seeds are pounded to extract the starchy content, which is made into cakes.
    • Kernels of the seeds are grated on a piece of thorny stem of a rattan.
    • Water is added and a milky juice is squeezed out of the pulp, resembling the milk expressed from grated coconut.
    • Milky liquid is allowed to stand in boat-shaped dishes made of palm sheaths. A starchy substance is deposited and the water carefully drawn off. The deposit is made into cakes, which are roasted and eaten.

    Other Facts

    • Barringtonia racemosa provides a medium weight, semi-durable hardwood which is used for house posts, beams, general planking, flooring, boats, cabinet work, boxes, crates, agricultural implements, carts, wooden pallets, household utensils, moldings, carving, turnery, wooden tiles and paving.
    • It is also suitable for plywood and veneer manufacture.
    • Branches and wood is also suitable for fuel-wood.
    • Fibers have been utilized in various kinds of hardboard, particle-board, and black board and for pulp.
    • Bark fibers have used for cordage.
    • Bark also yields tannin.
    • Seeds, bark, wood and roots contain the poison saponin and is used to stun fish.
    • Extracts from the plant are reported effective against Citrus aphids.
    • In Bengal, India, the seeds were used to poison people and coconut was said to be the antidote.
    • Oil obtained from the seed is used as an illuminant.
    • Bark of the stems and roots has high tannin content and is used locally for tanning.
    • Seed contains saponins and is used as an insecticide. Extracts of the plant have proved effective against Citrus aphis.
    • Bark is utilized as cordage.
    • Wood is used for light work that does not require great strength.
    • It is used additionally for carts, rice pounders and cabinetwork in India.
    • It has been reported that when treated with preservatives, the timber can be used to make good ties and paving blocks in Philippines.
    • Wood has additionally been used for carving and turnery in Pacific region.
    • Wood has been applied in various kinds of wood-based panels such as hardboard, particleboard and block board, and has also been used for the production of pulp.

    Precautions

    • Seed contains saponins and is poisonous.
    • It is sometimes used as a fish poison.
    • Pounded roots, fruits and bark are all used as fish poisons.
    • Fruits are used to poison wild pigs.

    References:

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-313527

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=896469#null

    https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/158739/

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=BARA5

    https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Barringtonia_racemosa_(PROTA)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barringtonia_racemosa

    http://pza.sanbi.org/barringtonia-racemosa

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    Powder Puff Tree Facts

    Powder Puff Tree Quick Facts
    Name: Powder Puff Tree
    Scientific Name: Barringtonia racemosa
    Origin Coastal areas of eastern Africa from Somalia to South Africa, through Madagascar and other Indian Ocean islands
    Colors Green, green tinged purplish ripening to purplish-red
    Shapes Ovoid-cylindric, somewhat quadrangular with 4 ridges, 5–9 by 3–4 cm
    Health benefits Beneficial for malaria, cough, asthma, jaundice, headache, eye inflammation, diarrhea, rheumatism, chicken pox, ulcerated nose and sores.
    Name Powder Puff Tree
    Scientific Name Barringtonia racemosa
    Native Coastal areas of eastern Africa from Somalia to South Africa, through Madagascar and other Indian Ocean islands to tropical south Asia, southeast Asia, southern China, the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, northern Australia, Micronesia and Polynesia
    Common Names Barringtonia, Brack-Water Mangrove, Common Putat, Fish-Killer Tree, Fish-Poison Tree, Fish- Poison Wood, Freshwater Mangrove, Hippo Apple, Powder-Puff Tree, Putat, Small-Leaved Barringtonia, Wild Guava
    Name in Other Languages Afrikaans : Poeierkwasboom
    Bengali: Samudraphal, Kunda
    Burmese : Kye-Bin, Kyi
    Chinese : Yu Rui (玉 蕊) , 水茄苳  (Shuǐ jiā dōng)
    English: China-pine, Derbyshire-pine, Brackwater mangrove, Cassowary-pine, Cornbeefwood, Fish-poison-tree, Freshwater mangrove, Mango-pine, Mangobark, Powderpuff-tree, Fish-killer tree, Fish-poison wood, Putat Kampung
    French : Bonnet D’évêque, Manondro
    Hindi: Ijjul, Norvisnee
    Indonesia : Butan Darat, Butun Darat, Penggung, Putat Sungai
    Italian:  Albero di Mangrovia
    Kannada: Ganigala Thora, Ganagilatora, Kanaginathora, Kanaginatora, Kempuganigilu, Kempukanagina, Neeruganagile, Neevaara, Nivar, Samudraphala
    Japanese: Sagaribana (サガリバナ)
    Laotian : Som Pawng
    Malayalam: Katampu, Samstaravati, Samstravadi, Samudracham, Samudrapad, Samudrappu, Samuthrachcham, Samudrakka, Samaskaravadi, Samudraccam, Samudrapoo, Samudrapu, Samuthraccham, Samudrachampa, Samudrakai
    Malaysia : Putat Ayam, Putat Ayer, Putat Aying, Putat Kampong, Putat Padi, Putat Kerdil, Putat Darat
    Malay: Putat kampong, Putat kampong, Pokok, Putat, Putat ayam
    Marathi: Nivar, Sadphali
    Oriya: Samudrapoo
    Philippines : Putat, Nuling, Tuba-Tuba, Paling, Putat,
    Kasouai, Putat, Kutkut-Timbalon, Putat, Potat, Putad, Putat
    Portuguese : Massinhana
    Russian : Barringtonia Kistevidnaia (Баррингтония кистевидная)
    Sanskrit: Hijjala, Nichula, Nipa, Samstravadi, Samudrapad, Samudraphala, Vishaya
    Swahili : Mtomondo
    Tamil: Aracakkini, Arattam, Arippiriyam, Arittiram, Calacakam,
    Calam, Calaparam, Camuttira, Camuttirakkatampu, Camuttirappalam, Camuttirappalavi, Camuttirappalavimaram, Cantakentam, Carucapam, Carucapikam, Carupam, Carusam, Cilesmanacani, Cilettumavisapakan, Citakantanam, Citakantanamaram, Cukataru, Cumpal, Cumpul, Cupuram, Curapi, Curapiyankam, Cutaru, Cuvetacamaram, Icataru, Icitaru, Icitarumaram, Icutaru, Icuvarataru, Intirapacitam, Intirapacitamaram, Isudaru, Isuvaradaru, Karaci, Karacimaram, Kaciram, Kadambam, Kadambu, Kalampakam, Kalampam, Karam, Karamam, Katampaccuvetam, Katampaccuvetamaram, Katampam, Katampuri, Katampurimaram, Katappaimaram, Katappamaram,
    Katotam, Kelivirutcam, Kogali, Kondalai, Kokali, Kontalai, Kontalai, Kontalam, Kontalankay, Kontavakkay, Koputtam, Kotalankay, Kucciram, Kuchidam, Mara, Maraam, Marakika, Marakikamaram, Maram, Maravam, Nipam, Palapatirappiriyam, Periyacali, Periyacalimaram, Peruncerippan, Peruncerippanmaram, Piriyakam,
    Piriyatati, Pitriyagam, Sametrapalam, Samuthram, Tarakatampam, Tenakam, Tevavirutcam, Tunikkatampamaram, Tunikkatampu, Varaki, Venkatampu, Venkatampumaram, Vicalam,
    Vicuvalopakarakam, Vilattaru
    Telegu: Aare, Kadapa, Kanapa (కనప), Samudrapandu, Kanapaceṭṭu (కనపచెట్టు) 
    Thai : Chik Ban (จิก บ้าน ), Chik Suan (จิกสวน)
    Vietnamese:   Lộc vừng hoa chùm, Chiếc chùm
    Zulu : Ibhoqo
    Plant Growth Habit Small, fast-growing, evergreen tree
    Growing Climates Primary and secondary forests in inundated flood plains on tidal river banks, or in mangrove swamp and estuarine localities
    Soil Tolerates saline condition but does best in heavy clays, sandy loams or rich volcanic soils. It tolerates dry conditions but is intolerant of any frost.
    Plant Size 4–8 m high but can attain a height of 15 m
    Bark Greyish-brown, smooth or fissured bark
    Leaf Alternate, borne on glabrous, 2–15 mm long petioles, often clustered toward the end of branches. Leaf lamina deep green, large, obovate oblong, 8–35 cm by 4–14 cm
    Flower Flowers white to pale pink, bisexual, 4-merous, sepals fused at base separate into 4 concave lobes, green tinged pink; petals elliptic to oblong-ovate, up to 3 x 1 cm, joined to staminal tube
    Fruit Shape & Size Ovoid-cylindric, somewhat quadrangular with 4 ridges, 5–9 by 3–4 cm, with pericarp with persistent calyx remnants and style
    Fruit Color Green, green tinged purplish ripening to purplish-red
    Flesh Fibrous, spongy flesh
    Seed Large, ovoid, 2–3 cm seed
    Plant Parts Used Seeds, bark, leaves, fruits, and roots
    Propagation Seeds & cutting

    Powder Puff Tree Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Barringtonia racemosa

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Subclass Dilleniidae
    Order Lecythidales
    Family Lecythidaceae (Brazil-nut family)
    Genus Barringtonia J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (barringtonia)
    Species Barringtonia racemosa Roxb.
    Synonyms
    • Barringtonia apiculata (Miers) R.Knuth
    • Barringtonia caffra (Miers) E.Mey. ex R.Knuth
    • Barringtonia caffra E. Mey
    • Barringtonia celebesensis R.Knuth
    • Barringtonia ceramensis R.Knuth
    • Barringtonia ceylanica (Miers) Gardner ex C.B.Clarke
    • Barringtonia elongata Korth
    • Barringtonia excelsa A.Gray
    • Barringtonia inclyta Miers ex B.D.Jacks
    • Barringtonia lageniformis Merr. & L.M.Perry
    • Barringtonia longiracemosa C.T.White
    • Barringtonia obtusangula (Blume) R.Knuth
    • Barringtonia pallida (Miers) Koord. & Valeton
    • Barringtonia racemosa Oliv
    • Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Blume ex DC
    • Barringtonia racemosa var. elongata (Korth.) Blume
    • Barringtonia racemosa var. minor Blume
    • Barringtonia racemosa var. procera Blume
    • Barringtonia racemosa var. subcuneata Miq
    • Barringtonia rosaria Oken
    • Barringtonia rosata (Sonn.) R.Knuth
    • Barringtonia rumphiana (Miers) R.Knuth              
    • Barringtonia salomonensis Rech
    • Barringtonia stravadium Blanco
    • Barringtonia terrestris (Miers) R.Knuth
    • Barringtonia timorensis Blume
    • Butonica alba (Pers.) Miers
    • Butonica apiculata Miers
    • Butonica caffra Miers
    • Butonica ceylanica Miers
    • Butonica inclyta Miers
    • Butonica racemosa (L.) Juss
    • Butonica rosata (Sonn.) Miers
    • Butonica rumphiana Miers
    • Butonica terrestris Miers
    • Caryophyllus racemosus (L.) Stokes
    • Eugenia racemosa L
    • Huttum racemosum (L.) Britten
    • Megadendron ambiguum Miers              
    • Megadendron pallidum Miers
    • Menichea rosata Sonn
    • Michelia apiculata (Miers) Kuntze
    • Michelia ceylanica (Miers) Kuntze
    • Michelia racemosa (L.) Kuntze
    • Michelia rosata (Sonn.) Kuntze
    • Michelia timorensis (Blume) Kuntze
    • Stravadium album Pers
    • Stravadium obtusangulum Blume
    • Stravadium racemosum (L.) Sweet
    • Stravadium rubrum DC
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