Gymnocladus assamicus
Gymnocladus assamicus
Safety & Hazards
Excessive eating of the seeds can cause dizziness, nausea and vomiting[ 1480 Title Gymnocladus assamicus Kanjilal ex P.C.Kanjilal fruit - A soap substitute Publication Natural Product Radiance, Vol 6(5), 2007 , pp 427-429 Author Choudhury B.I.; Khan M.L.; Arunachalam A.; Arunachalam K. Publisher Year 2007 ISBN Description ]. The seeds and seedpods are rich in saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of raw foods that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].
Botanical Description
Gymnocladus assamicus is a deciduous tree growing up to 17 metres tall. The tree is an important source of soap for the local people and it is commonly harvested from the wild. The tree also provides medicines and food. There are moves underway to cultivate the tree, especially as a source of soap[ 1480 Title Gymnocladus assamicus Kanjilal ex P.C.Kanjilal fruit - A soap substitute Publication Natural Product Radiance, Vol 6(5), 2007 , pp 427-429 Author Choudhury B.I.; Khan M.L.; Arunachalam A.; Arunachalam K. Publisher Year 2007 ISBN Description ]. Gymnocladus assamicus is under threat in the wild due to a variety of reasons including: overharvesting of the mature pods for domestic use; grazing; predation of seeds by scatter-hoarding animals; fungal damage to the seeds; separate male and hermaphrodite trees; a lack of seed dispersal; and a hard-waxy seed coat that restricts germination. In addition, the habitat of the species is continuously declining due to road construction, agricultural expansion and human settlements. The wild population is inferred to have declined by more than 80% over the three generations (84 years). The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].