Hydnocarpus macrocarpus
Hydnocarpus macrocarpus
Safety & Hazards
Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the seeds of many members of this genus contain cyanogetic glycosides[ 218 Title Medicinal Plants of China Publication Author Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Publisher Reference Publications, Inc. Year 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4 Description Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject. , 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ]. In very small quantities this has been used medicinally, having been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Botanical Description
Hydnocarpus macrocarpus is a large, evergreen tree. The tree is probably harvested from the wild for its seeds, which have medicinal uses. The tree has a restricted range in southwest India. Large areas of forest have been destroyed for the Kodayar Hydroelectric Project and also for the establishment of plantation crops. Outlying populations exist further north towards Anamalai. The fruits have been overcollected for medicinal use[ 884 Title The World List of Threatened Trees Publication Author Oldfield S.; Lusty C.; and MacKinven A. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher World Conservation Press; Cambridge UK Year 1998 ISBN 1-899628-10 X Description A list of the trees on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plant Species in 1998, often giving some information on habitat and the reasons for being on the list. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].