Barringtonia asiatica aka Mango Pine

Barringtonia asiatica, or sea poison tree, belongs to the Lecythidaceae family. Its native range starts in northeastern Tanzania, including Pemba and Zanzibar. It extends across the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. This evergreen tree grows mainly near tropical shores. It lives on sandy beaches and flats of coral sand. It also grows beside rivers and in mangrove swamps. Some inland trees reach limestone hills and cliffs.

The tree has a broad, dense crown that gives shade. The listed height is about 49 feet [15 metres]. Larger trees can reach 82 feet [25 metres]. Its trunk is often short and has an uneven shape. Trunk width can reach 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres]. The tree keeps its leaves through the year. Moths and bats pollinate its flowers. Its large seeds can wash onto beaches. Growth proceeds at a moderate rate.

Warm, frost-free sites suit this tree. It prefers temperatures of 20–35°C and rain spread through the year. Full sun or light shade suits it. Fertile, moist soil with good drainage gives the best growth. Yet it can cope with shallow, salty, or poor soil. Wild trees grow in coastal soils with pH 5.1–8.5. Once rooted, trees can withstand some drought. They also tolerate periods when water floods the soil. Fresh ripe seed and cuttings provide ways to raise plants. Reported seed germination takes 36–63 days.

People plant this tree for shade beside coastal roads and avenues. Its broad crown gives it value where shade is needed. Local people also gather its wood and other plant parts. The light, soft wood splits with ease. It serves for furniture, carved work, and turned objects. Dried fruits have a use as floats. Traditional medicine uses the leaves, bark, fruits, and seeds. These uses do not establish that such treatments are safe. A cited 2013 assessment lists the species as Least Concern.

Both the fruit and its oily seed are toxic. People have used them to stun or kill fish. Reports from Indochina describe eating young fruits after long cooking. That practice does not make untreated fruit safe to eat. The source gives this plant a low food-use rating. Its toxic seeds also feature in some traditional remedies. These records describe local uses, not safe home treatments.