Byrsonima crassifolia commonly known as Nanche/ Nance or Golden Spoon, is a small tree from the family Malpighiaceae. The plant is native to Southern Mexico, Peru, Brazil and the Caribbean Islands.
This tree is very drought-tolerant, and generally grows in either savannas or dry tropical forests. For this reason, the Nanche is successfully used to colonize poor dry soils and to restore degraded areas, favouring the successive establishment of other plants species.
Leaves are ovate with upper surface glossy, under surface brown-gray wooly tomentose. Young branches are also covered with a layer of brown hairs.
Flowers are bright yellow, produced in erect spike like inflorescences. The petals turn orange red with age. These flowers attract pollinator insects through a "reward", in fact there are sepal glands called elaiophores that secrete a nutritious oil.
Fruits are globose drupes about the size of an olive and contain a single hard seed. They ripen from green to yellow. The sweet yellow fruits are strongly scented. They have a peculiar pungent flavor and smell, but are edible. The fruits are eaten raw or cooked, and are used to prepare various types of drinks. In addition, the antioxidant properties of the fruits are well-documented.
Medicinal Uses
An infusion of the bark is taken as a remedy for fevers and diarrhoea, and also to treat pulmonary complaints. A poultice made from the bark is applied on wounds and ulcers to promote healing.
Other Uses
A dye is extracted from the unripe fruits, which gives a brown hue to cotton. The bark is used in tanning to give leather a light yellow tone. The wood is used to make furniture and other small items for daily usage. The fresh branches, pounded or cut, are also used by locals to stupefy fish.
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Reference
Plants of Singapore
