Red Sandalwood, Coral Tree

Adenanthera pavonina

Physical Characteristics

Adenanthera pavonina is a deciduous Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant is not wind tolerant.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Solomon Isles.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Edible parts: Seeds, Leaves, Vegetable. A Famine food. A minor edible leafy vegetable. Seed - raw or cooked[301 ]. They can be roasted, shelled and then eaten with rice[301 , 307 ]. The seeds are easily digested and are enjoyed by children and adults alike[303 ].The bright red seeds taste like soya beans and contain 25% oil plus 39% protein[301 ]. The seed may require boiling to neutralize toxicity[303 , 418 ]. Young leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[301 , 303 , 418 ]. The flowers are also eaten.

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antidiarrhoeal Antiinflammatory Dysentery Leprosy The plant is antibacterial and haemaglutinin[311 ]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of rheumatism and gout[46 , 307 ]. The bark is used to treat leprosy[311 ]. A decoction of the bark and leaves is used to treat dysentery, diarrhoea and tonsillitis[303 ]. The wood is used as a tonic[46 ]. The pulverized wood, mixed with water, is taken orally for treating migraines and headaches[303 ]. In vitro studies suggest Adenanthera pavonina leaf extract has antibacterial activity against the intestinal pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. Also, high doses of seed extract have an anti-inflammatory effect in studies in rats and mice.

Known Hazards

The raw seeds are poisonous[303 ].