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| Semecarpus australiensis | ||||||||||||||
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| Semecarpus australiensis |
Australian cashew nut, Semecarpus australiensis, is a tree that grows in open forest or rainforest in Australia, Torres Strait Islands, and Papua New Guinea. It is related to the standard cashew.
The leaves are prominently veined, large, dark green on the upper surface and paler underneath. Small cream flowers are followed by unusual fruits that have the seeds on the outside contained in a leathery pod attached to an orange or red fruit-like fleshy base.[1]
Caution: the sap of the bsuh cashew is extremely irritating.
Uses
Because of the extremely irritating sap, Aborigines exercise great care in preparing the seeds, including handling the fruit with hands coated in clay for skin protection. The seeds are roasted in the fire before eating, and taste similar to normal cashews.
References
- ^ Low, T., Wild Food Plants of Australia, 1991. ISBN 0-207-16930-6
