Golden Spoon, Nance, Nancy Tree

Byrsonima crassifolia

Physical Characteristics

Byrsonima crassifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Birds. It is noted for attracting wildlife. 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 alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Northern S. America - Brazil and Peru, north to Mexico.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Edible Uses: Drink Oil Fruit - raw or cooked. Thin-skinned and peculiarly odorous, with a white, juicy, oily pulp that varies in flavour from insipid to sweet, acid or cheese-like[ 303 ]. A very popular fruit, it is usually eaten out of hand, and is also cooked as a dessert, used in jams, soups, sherbets etc[ 301 , 307 ]. A refreshing drink, known as 'chicha', is obtained from the fermented fruits - it is very much relished by most Panamanians[ 551 ]. The orange-yellow round fruit is up to 5cm in diameter with a single, fairly large stone, containing 1-3 white seeds[ 303 , 307 ]. An edible fat is extracted from the fruit with boiling water[ 301 , 303 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antacid Antidiarrhoeal Antidote Antiinflammatory Astringent Dysentery Emmenagogue Febrifuge Hypotensive Mouthwash Poultice Purgative Skin Stings The bark (probably the inner bark[ K ] is rich in tannins and has been used medicinally by many local peoples[ 303 ]. It is antidote, antiinflammatory, astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge and purgative[ 303 , 348 ]. It has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, including indigestion, diarrhoea and dysentery; pulmonary complaints; snakebites; fevers; cases of leucorrhoea; and to promote menstruation[ 303 , 348 ]. The bark has been used externally as a wash or poultice to treat wounds, skin infections, ulcers etc[ 303 , 348 ]. As a mouthwash it has been used to tighten the teeth where gums are diseased[ 303 ]. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat high blood pressure[ 348 ]. The leaves are used as a wash to clean and soothe ulcers[ 348 ]. The brown powder from the under surface of the leaf is applied onto the cut end of the umbilical cord to prevent infection[ 348 ]. The sap from the bark and leaves is inserted into the orifice of the penis as a treatment for gonorrhoea[ 348 ]. The leaves contain various flavonoids, saponins and terpenes[ 348 ].

Known Hazards

The leaves and stems, if put in water, can stupefy fish[ 303 ]. This possibly means they contain saponins[ K ]. 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 food 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 ].