Barringtonia acutangula – Freshwater Mangrove (plant)

Description

Barringtonia acutangula is a tree in the Lecythidaceae family, less than 25m tall, native to coastal wetlands in southern Asia and northern Australasia, from Afghanistan east to the Philippines and Queensland. Also called Mango Pine. Used by Aboriginal people as a fish poison and for its painkilling properties.

The bark of Barringtonia acutangula contains about 16% tannins and opoid painkillers. It also contains 3,3 dimethoxy ellagic acid, dihydromyticetin, gallic acid, bartogenic acid and stigmasterol, triterpenoids. The fruits contain triterpenoid sapogenins which are haemolytic in nature. It also contains glucoside, barringtonic acid and barringtogenol. Barringtonia acutangula is an Ayurvedic herb used for the treatment of fever, diarrhoea, intestinal worms, cough, dyspnea and cases of poisoning (from http://easyayurveda.com/2016/07/28/indian-oak-tree-barringtonia-acutangula/).

More info at Wikipedia click here.

Care and Cultivation of Barringtonia acutangula

Barringtonia acutangula can be planted either in a wet situation, like on the edge of a dam, or straight into the garden, I find it quite adaptable.Likewise it is tolerant of full sun to part shade positions, with variable drainage.

1 plant