Barringtonia procera
| Cutnut (Barringtonia procera) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Barringtonia procera [1] |
| Common names | cutnut, katanat, pao [2] |
| Family | Lecythidaceae [1] |
| Order | Ericales [1] |
| Genus | Barringtonia [1] |
| Native range | Eastern New Guinea to Vanuatu; wet tropical biome [1] |
| Habit | Evergreen tree [2] |
| Typical height | Usually 8–12 m; reported up to 24 m [2] |
| Fruit | Elongated, indehiscent fruit; edible kernel [2] |
| Native climate | 0–600 m elevation; 1500–4300 mm annual rainfall; mean temperatures 26.4–27.7 °C [2] |
Barringtonia procera, commonly called cutnut or katanat, is an evergreen wet-tropical tree native from eastern New Guinea to Vanuatu. It is grown for its edible kernel and is also known as pao. [1] [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
Cutnut is usually an 8–12 m tree, although it can reach about 24 m. Its root system is described as a shallow taproot with lateral roots concentrated near the topsoil. Pendulous flower spikes carry bisexual flowers visited by bees. [2]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
In its native range, cutnut grows in coastal coral soils ranging from light to heavy textures, with recorded soil pH from 5.1 to 8.5. It does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Choose a site that drains after heavy tropical rain rather than a permanently saturated hollow. The shallow taproot and near-surface lateral roots favor a broad root zone; avoid repeated deep digging close to the trunk. [2]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
A warm, humid setting matches cutnut's wet-tropical native biome. Its recorded native-range mean temperatures are 26.4–27.7 °C, so it is best treated as a true tropical tree rather than a cool-season fruit crop. [1] [2]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
In Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea plantings, flowering peaks are recorded in May–June and October–November. These are native-range reference seasons, not a fixed calendar for every climate. Maintain moisture through active warm growth while keeping the root zone free of standing water; reduce irrigation only when cooler or wetter conditions make saturation more likely. [2]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Collect well-formed ripe fruits from the ground and sow the seeds promptly. The seeds are recalcitrant and short-lived when dried, so they should not be stored as ordinary dry seed. No special pre-planting treatment is specified. The practical priority is fresh handling and protection from drying between collection and sowing. [2]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The flowers are bisexual, and bee visitation is recorded. In the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea context, flowering has peaks in May–June and October–November. Fruit takes about three months to reach full size and a further three to four weeks to ripen. Collect ripe fruit after it falls, selecting well-formed fruits for eating or propagation. [2]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is elongated, indehiscent, and described at about 25–95 mm long. The ripe mesocarp is aromatic, while the kernel is eaten as a snack or in meals, including roasted or baked preparations. These are documented traditional food uses; they should not be read as a general food-safety assessment. [2]
Pests[edit | edit source]
Leaf miners may affect young seedlings. Inspect new growth regularly during establishment and remove badly damaged leaves without disturbing the shallow root zone. [2]