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THE CANNONBALL Tree can be described thus: Lovely flowers; dangerous fruits.
The scientific name given the tree is ‘Couroupita guianensis’, and it is derived from the `Lecythidacae` family.
Its English equivalent is derived from the massive fruit-like nuts which resemble rusty cannonballs.
Locally, the Cannonball Tree is an incredible sight, with its pleasant, fragrant flowers and extraordinary but dangerous fruits.
When these 10-inch spheres fall from above and hit the ground, they crack open with a sound like a cannon firing.
The fruits are a botanical curiosity, because they are in the shape and size of cannonballs that, like the flowers, arise from the trunk of the tree. In contrast to the flowers, the fruits release a stink aroma when they hit the ground and break open.
The tree is native to Tropical America, and is known as Ayahuma (head of spirit) in this part of the world.
Among the shamans (witch doctors) of the Amazon, the tree is believed to provide protection against the evil spirits.
The fruit is said to be a part of the shaman culture, but is poisonous to ordinary persons.
It has however been grown in India for the past 3,000 years, and there is debate in botanical circles as to whether it is actually a native of India, or whether it was somehow transported from South America across the continents to India several thousand years ago.
In India, the Cannonball Tree is considered the holy tree of Lord Shiva and called ‘Naga Linga’.
In Bengali and Tamil, it is known as ‘Nagalingam’, and in Hindi, it is called `Shivalingam’.
The flowers are prized offerings to the god, Shiva, and Cannonball Trees can be found in the corner of the courtyards of many an ancient temple.
In some countries in South America, the Cannonball Tree and its fruits are described as nature’s pharmacy, and their medical use is very strong and widespread.
The tree, it is said, possesses antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic and analgesic qualities, and can cure from colds to stomach aches.
The inside of the fruit can be used to disinfect wounds and the young leaves to ease toothache.
The juice made from the leaves is used to cure skin diseases, and the shamans of South America have been known to use parts of the tree for treating malaria.
The scientific name given the tree is ‘Couroupita guianensis’, and it is derived from the `Lecythidacae` family.
Its English equivalent is derived from the massive fruit-like nuts which resemble rusty cannonballs. Locally, the Cannonball Tree is an incredible sight, with its pleasant, fragrant flowers and extraordinary but dangerous fruits.
When these 10-inch spheres fall from above and hit the ground, they crack open with a sound like a cannon firing.
The fruits are a botanical curiosity, because they are in the shape and size of cannonballs that, like the flowers, arise from the trunk of the tree. In contrast to the flowers, the fruits release a stink aroma when they hit the ground and break open.
The tree is native to Tropical America, and is known as Ayahuma (head of spirit) in this part of the world.
Among the shamans (witch doctors) of the Amazon, the tree is believed to provide protection against the evil spirits.
The fruit is said to be a part of the shaman culture, but is poisonous to ordinary persons.It has however been grown in India for the past 3,000 years, and there is debate in botanical circles as to whether it is actually a native of India, or whether it was somehow transported from South America across the continents to India several thousand years ago.
In India, the Cannonball Tree is considered the holy tree of Lord Shiva and called ‘Naga Linga’.
In Bengali and Tamil, it is known as ‘Nagalingam’, and in Hindi, it is called `Shivalingam’.
The flowers are prized offerings to the god, Shiva, and Cannonball Trees can be found in the corner of the courtyards of many an ancient temple.
In some countries in South America, the Cannonball Tree and its fruits are described as nature’s pharmacy, and their medical use is very strong and widespread.
The tree, it is said, possesses antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic and analgesic qualities, and can cure from colds to stomach aches.
The inside of the fruit can be used to disinfect wounds and the young leaves to ease toothache.
The juice made from the leaves is used to cure skin diseases, and the shamans of South America have been known to use parts of the tree for treating malaria.
