Lecythidaceae (brazil nut family) » Barringtonia asiatica

bar-ring-TOH-nee-uh -- named for Daines Barrington, English judge and naturalist a-see-AT-ee-kuh -- of or from Asia

commonly known as: beach barringtonia, fish-killer tree, queen of the shores, sea poison tree

Native to: coastal areas of: India, Madagascar, Philippines, Polynesia, n Australia

The fruits have a typical lantern shape and float on the water. The fruit can survive drifting on the sea for long distances and for periods of up to 2 years. They were among the first seeds to arrive on the island of Krakatau when it first emerged out of the sea.

The outermost layer of the fruit wall is green turning brown when ripe. The middle layer is spongy and contains air sacs to help the fruit float. The innermost layer is hard and thick to protect the seed (the layers of spongy and hard coverings are somewhat similar to the coconut).

All parts of the tree contain saponin, a poison. The seeds and other parts of the plant are pounded, pulped or grated to release the poison and used to stun fish in freshwater streams. The floating seeds are sometimes used as fishing floats.

References: TopTropicals • Dave's Garden • Zipcode Zoo • M.M.P.N.D.