Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng.

Lecythidaceae

Sprengel, C.P.J. (1826) Systema Vegetabilium 3: 127.

Mango Bark; Mango Pine; Pine, Cassowary; Pine, Mango; Pine, China; Barringtonia; Freshwater Mangrove; Fish Poison Tree; Derbyshire Pine; Cornbeef Wood; China Pine; Mango; Cassowary Pine; Pine, Derbyshire

Frequently a multistemmed, poorly formed tree.

Leaf blade quite large, about 13-30 x 5-10 cm, petiole short. Lateral veins forming a series of loops just inside the blade margin. Midrib raised on the upper surface. Stipules small and inconspicuous, visible on the young shoots only.

Flowers sessile or pedicellate. Calyx fused at the bud stage and usually rupturing into 2-5 lobes. Petals about 1.5-2.5 cm long.

Fruit ovoid, about 5-7 x 2-4 cm.

Roots grow from the opposite end of the seed to the leafy shoot. Cataphylls sometimes occur among the true leaves. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves narrowly elliptic with teeth evenly spaced along the margin. Seed germination time 34 days.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from sea level to 20 m. Grows in freshwater swamp forest or in areas which are subject to periodic flooding. Also occurs in Africa, Madagascar, India, Malesia and the Pacific islands.

This species has been used as a fish poison. (http://squid2laughingsquid.net/hosts/herbweb.com/ herbage/A3371.htm)

The seeds of this tree are poisonous, and have been used in some cases to treat intestinal worms. Cribb (1981).

Seldom produces millable logs. Produces a useful general purpose timber.

Wood specific gravity 0.54. Cause et al. (1989).

Eugenia racemosa L., Species plantarum 1: 471(1753), Type: Ceylon, Herb. Hermann figs 212, 213, 239; syn: BM. Fide J. Payens. Barringtonia longiracemosa C.T.White, Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 44: 823(1920), Type: Johnstone River, Dr. T.L. Bancroft s. n. ; holo: BRI.