| Hydnocarpus castaneus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Achariaceae |
| Genus: | Hydnocarpus |
| Species: | H. castaneus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hydnocarpus castaneus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Hydnocarpus castaneus [2] is an Asian tree species in the family Achariaceae. It is now accepted that Hydnocarpus anthelminthicus is a synonym [3] and its native range is from Burma, the rest of Indochina through to W. Malesia; [4] this species is now also cultivated in southern China. [5]
This tree species grows to between 10 and 20 m with coriaceous, glabrous leaves 150–300 mm long. The spherical fruits are velvety and brown-black, with a diameter of 70–150 mm and containing 30–50 fleshy 15-20mm seeds. [6]
Also widely known under its name H. anthelminthicus, suggesting anthelmintic properties, the Vietnamese is lọ nồi [6] (sometimes Ðại phong tử). It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it may be called dà fēng zǐ 大 风 子 or 泰国大风子 tai guo da feng zi. [5]