Barringtonia asiatica

Description

Fish poison trees (called also box fruit trees) grow on the beach and mangrove habitats. They are found from islands of the Indian Ocean to islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It may be planted for ornamental trees. The tree may reach  25 m tall. The fruit is buoyant and may be dispersed by ocean current.

Poison is present in the leaves, barks, roots, fruits, and seeds. Fish are stunned or killed with the powdered seeds, which suffocate the fish while leaving the flesh unharmed.

Taxonomic Sources

• International Plant Name Index IPNI