 Botany
Plant is a large, widely spreading tree reaching a height of 25 meters. Leaves are very large, smooth, leathery, broadly ovate or rounded, about 20 cm long, with pointed tip and heart-shaped base. Petioles are as long as the leaves. Flowers are yellowish-green or whitish, having a faint odor, about 4 cm across. Fruit is pendant on thick, brown stalks, ovoidly rounded, 10 to 20 cm in diameter, brown and rough, containg seeds which are 3 to 5 cm across, compressed, somewhat angular, embedded in a yellowish, sweet, aromatic and edible pulp.
Distribution
In primary forests at low and medium altitudes.
Constituents
Leaves yield a cyanogenetic glycoside, gynocardine, identical to that found in Gynocardia odorata.
An emulsionlike enzyme, gynocardase, has been identified with the glucoside.
Kernel oil yields pamitic and oleic acids, and an optically active oil, either hydnocarpic or chaulmoogric, or both.
Properties
Kernel is considered poisonous.
Plant considered anthelmitic.
Seeds, fruit, leaves and bark possess narcotic properties, in excessive amounts may cause sleepiness, headache, intoxication, delirium or even death.
Parts used and preparation
Seeds, leaves.
Uses
Edibility
Pulp surrounding the seed is eaten in some parts of the Philippines. However, there are reports that it causes headaches.
Although the kernel is considered poisonous, it is rendered edible by steeping or roasting.
Folkloric
Freshly crushed seeds applied by Malays to boils.
Leaves have anthelminthic action.
Others
Oil: Oil used as illuminant and for making soap.
Fish poison: In the Camarines, plant is used as a fish poison.
Fresh seeds and oil used as dart poison by Sakais.
Studies
• Antioxidant / Antibacterial: Study showed a significant correlation between the total phenolic content and its antioxidative and antibacterial activity suggesting that phenolics of the seed extract could be potential natural antioxidant and antibacterial sources.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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