Medium-sized palm tree, growing straight, up to 20m. Trunk 10-15 cm in diameter. Leaves 2m long, pinnate, with numerous, crowded leaflets. Seeds of the fruit is a commercially important seed crop (Areca nut), mainly in India and SE-Asia. They contain intoxicating and slightly addictive alkaloids as well as carcinogenic tannins (oral cancer). Chewing Areca nuts is popular throughout many SE-Asian countries.

Native to the Philippines. Today growing in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia and parts of East Africa.

Betel palm is an astringent, stimulant herb that relieves hunger, abdominal discomfort and weariness. It kills intestinal parasites and other pathogens, and also has diuretic and laxative effects. It is used mainly in veterinary medicine to expel tapeworms. The seed is used against anaemia, fits, leucoderma, leprosy, obesity and worms. It is also used in the treatment of dysentery and malaria. In combination with other ingredients, it is also a purgative and an ointment for nasal ulcers. Kernels of green and mature fruits are chewed as an astringent and stimulant, often with the leaves or fruit of betel pepper (Piper betel) and slaked lime. The rind is also used as a laxative in cases of constipation with flatulence and bloating, as well as a diuretic in treating oedema.   The fruits are harvested when fully ripe and can be dried for later use.

The areca nut decoction as well as arecoline and its salts have been found to be effective on various parasitic helminth infections such as those caused by Taenia.

In English Areca catechu is called “Betel tree” because its fruit (Areca nut) is often chewed along with the leaf of “Betel” (Piper betle), a vine closely related (same genus) to Pepper (Piper nigrum) and Kava (Piper methysticum).

Tree up to 8m tall. Tree trunk and major branches have thorns. Leaves shiny and green, rather small. Fruits orange, 4-8 cm, edible. Citrus species are usually self-fertile (a bee moves pollen within the same flower) or parthenocarpic (no need of pollination for fruit development, therefore seedless, like the cultivated forms of banana). The Mandarine is easily damaged by cold.

Native to Vietnam, South China and Japan. Today, widespread in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Citrus species contain a wide range of active ingredients and research is still underway in finding uses for them. They are rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, acids and volatile oils. They also contain coumarins such as bergapten which sensitizes the skin to sunlight. Bergapten is sometimes added to tanning preparations since it promotes pigmentation in the skin, though it can cause dermatitis or allergic responses in some people. Some of the plants more recent applications are as sources of antioxidants and chemical exfoliants in specialized cosmetics. The fruit is antiemetic, aphrodisiac, astringent, laxative and tonic The flowers are stimulant The pericarp is analgesic, anti-asthmatic, anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, antitussive, carminative, expectorant, stomachic. It is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, gastro-intestinal distension, cough with profuse phlegm, hiccup and vomiting. The endocarp is carminative and expectorant. It is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, gastro-intestinal distension, coughs and profuse phlegm. The unripe green exocarp is carminative and stomachic. It is used in the treatment of pain in the chest and hypochondrium, gastro-intestinal distension, swelling of the liver and spleen and cirrhosis of the liver. The seed is analgesic and carminative. It is used in the treatment of hernia, lumbago, mastitis and pain or swellings of the testes

The “Common orange” (Citrus x sinensis) is a hybrid between “Mandarine” (Citrus reticulata) and “Pomelo” (Cirtus maxima). Due to its thin skin, Mandarine is much easier to peel than other Citrus fruits

The genus Morus contains around 15 different species of deciduous trees, growing wild and under cultivation.

Fast-growing when young, can grow up to 24 m. Leaves alternate and simple. Fruits white, red or black. Edible.

Native to Southern Asia. Today, widely distributed across Europe, South Africa and the Americas.

The juice of the bark is applied to cuts and wounds

In Brazil, mulberries are regarded as invasive species.

Mulberries are related (same family) to the “Common Fig” (Ficus carica) and to “Breadfruit” (Artocarpus altilis).

Slow-growing tree, up to 3 m. Leaves 60-120 cm long, pinnate, with approx. 100 leaflets. Each leaflet 15-25 cm long and 1 cm wide. Flowers small, yellowish, on a 45 cm inflorescence. Fruit is botanically a drupe (1 cm), edible, resembling a small date.

Native to south-eastern Asia, now popular as an ornamental plant in gardens in tropical and subtropical areas. With a minimum temperature requirement of -3°C, it is grown under glass or as a houseplant in cooler areas.

No known.

The NASA Clean Air Study concluded that the “pygmy date palm” is effective at removing common household air toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.

Evergreen trees, 10-20 m tall. Alternately arranged leaves, 12-25 cm long. The fruit of the plant (yes, avocado is a fruit!) is botanically a large berry containing a single large seed.

Native probably of Mexico and Central America.

Avocados are very nutritious and contain more potassium than bananas. They are loaded with heart-healthy monosaturated fatty acids. Avocados are used to lower cholesterol levels.

All avocados are picked by hand. Avocados are harvested by using a 5-meter pole to reach the high-hanging fruits. They tend to be more expensive than other fruits because of the high costs of labor.

Avocados are related (same family) to bay leaf (Laurus nobilis).

Shrubs or small trees, 2-3 m tall, glabrous. Leaves opposite. Flowers bright red, 3 cm. Fruit globose, leathery berries, variable in color, red to yellow-green or red-brown, 5-12 cm. Seeds numerous, covered with pulp. Edible..

Native to the Middle East between Iran and Northern India, cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region. Introduced by the Spanish into America in the 16^th century. Today widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

The pomegranate has a long history of herbal use dating back more than 3,000 years. All parts of the plant contain unusual alkaloids, known as ‘pellitorines’, which paralyse tapeworms so that they are easily expelled from the body by using a laxative. The plant is also rich in tannin, which makes it an effective astringent. It is used externally in the treatment of vaginal discharges, mouth sores and throat infections. The whole plant, but in particular the bark, is antibacterial, antiviral and astringent. This remedy should be used with caution, overdoses can be toxic The flowers are used in the treatment of dysentery, stomach-ache and cough. Along with the leaves and seeds, they have been used to remove worms. The juice of the flowers is used to treat nose bleeds. The seeds are demulcent and stomachic. A decoction of the seed is used to treat syphilis. The fruit is a mild astringent and refrigerant in some fevers and especially in biliousness. It is also cardiac and stomach-ache. The juice of the fruit is used to treat jaundice and diarrhoea. Combined with the juice of Cynodont dactylion leaves, it is used for treating runny noses and colds. The dried rind of the fruit is used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea etc. It is a specific remedy for tapeworm infestation. The rind of the fruit is ground in water and drunk every morning by diabetics. The stem bark is emmenagogue. Both the stem and the root barks are used to expel tapeworms.   Use this with caution, the root bark can cause serious poisoning. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The dried pericarp is decocted with other herbs and used in the treatment of colic, dysentery, leucorrhoea etc. An ethyl alcohol extract of the fruit has shown interesting oestrogenic properties. In addition, it has been shown to reduce cell death from oxidation. The plant has potential as an active ingredient in preparations for the treatment of skin-ageing in post-menopausal women.

Pomegranates are mentioned many times in the Bible. In the Qur’an, pomegranates are named as one of the fruits that will grow in the gardens of paradise.

The juice of Pomegranate is the source of grenadine syrup, used in flavorings and liqueurs.

Trees, up to 15m tall. Very dense rounded crown. Large leaves, 20-30 cm long, 8-18 cm wide. Flowers red. Fruit (berry), edible, red, some varieties with white or pink skin. Flesh white, surrounds a large seed. Taste bland but refreshing.

Native to Australia and Malesia (Islands of Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea). Cultivated since prehistoric times by Austronesian people. Introduced to Oceania as canoe plants (more than 4000 years ago). Today, spread throughout the tropics. Conservation status: rare.

Various parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine, the leaves and bark have in fact been shown to possess antibiotic activity, the bark is astringent, whilst the plant is also weakly hypoglycaemic. The plant contains tannins and is astringent. In particular, the bark, leaves and roots of Malay apple are used against different ailments.
An infusion of the bark is used to treat tuberculosis, mouth infections, stomach-ache and abdominal ailments. The bark is used to cure mouth sores in children. It is also used as a purgative and to treat venereal diseases.
The leaves are used to treat red eyes. A decoction of the leaves is used as a wash on skin infections.
Other conditions treated with this plant include cough; yellow urine and bad appetite; as a remedy for deep bone pains, diabetes, gonorrhoea, swollen stomach after childbirth, sore throat, thrush, bronchitis and to relieve constipation.

Jam is prepared by stewing the flesh with brown sugar and ginger.

Close related (same genus) to the Leba tree (Syzygium neurocalyx, #37 in the botanical tour).

Small trees, normally 4-5 m, in the wild up to 18 m. Trunk sometimes buttressed. Bark smooth. Always on moist soil (wetlands). Leaves shiny green, palmate with lanceolate leaflets. Flowers are among the largest tree flowers in the world. Long narrow petals, open like a banana peel and reveal hairlike yellowish orange stamens.

Native to swamps of Central and South America, often cultivated throughout the tropics as a popular ornamental plant (many specimens in cultivation sold as Pachira aquatica are actually the simillar species P. glabra).

No known.

The name “money tree” seems to refer to a story of its origin, where a poor man prayed for money, found this “odd” plant, took it home as an omen, and made money selling plants grown from its seeds.

Another common name for the money tree (Pachira aquatica) is “French Peanut”.

Evergreen tree, up to 10 m. Young branches hairy. Broad oval leaves, 5-18 cm long, 2-7 cm wide. Fruits dark green and prickly, can be up to 30 cm long, edible, slightly acidic taste when ripe (“Soursop”).

Exact origin is unknown. Native to the tropical regions of the Americas and the Carribean. Today widely propagated in the tropics and subtropics of the world.

Soursop is often used in traditional medicine. Research has shown that it is antimalarial, uterine stimulant, anticrustacean, antiparasitic, cytotoxic (acerogenins), cardiac depressant, anti-amoebic, antibacterial, antifungal, hypertensive, spasmogenic, vasodilator, insecticide, smooth muscle relaxant. The plant contains is quinoline alkaloids including reticuline. The seed contains galactomannan, sitosterol, stigmasterol and cholesterol. The leaves are antispasmodic, calmative, narcotic. The crushed leaves are used as a remedy for distension and dyspepsia, scabies and skin diseases, rheumatism, coughs and colds. A decoction, often combined with Ludwigia erecta, is used to treat hypertension and heart conditions such as palpitations. A decoction of the leaves combined with the leaves of avocado (Persea americana) is drunk as an antihypertensive. The leaves may also be used to make a decoction, which is taken orally with salt for digestive tract ailments and to relieve fatigue. The pungent leaves are well-known for their sleep-inducing properties – they can be taken in an infusion, or simply placed under the pillow. Applied externally, the crushed leaves are used to maturate boils and abscesses. A massage of the leaves is good for remedying nervous shock. The fruit is antiscorbutic, febrifuge, mildly anti-dysenteric and a good vermifuge. It is used to treat bedwetting in children. A decoction is used to remedy excess foot and hand perspiration. The fruit is used to make a tonic that is used for treating fever, headache, hypertension, and heart problems. A crushed leaf and seed decoction is taken orally for intestinal malaise. The leaves and bark are cardiotonic and sedative. A decoction is used for treating anxiety attacks. The green bark is rubbed on wounds to stop bleeding. Flower or flower bud tea is mixed with honey for colds, chest pain and nerve disorders. The bark and young fruits, which contain tannin, are used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. The green bark is rubbed on wounds to stop bleeding. The seed is an ingredient in a remedy for treating convulsions.

Soursop (sometimes as “Graviola”) is closely related (same genus) to “Cherimoya” (Annona cherimola) and “Custard apple” (Annona reticulata). Soursop is used as an alternative cancer treatment, but there is no medical evidence it is effective

Small evergreen trees, up to 6 m. Numerous axillary spines, 5-27 mm. Leaves elliptic to oval, 4-12 cm long, 2-6 cm wide. Fruits edible, acid (pH 2.2), 5-10 cm, light yellow (lemon fruit).

Native to Northeastern India, Northern Burma and Southern China. Introduced to the New World by Columbus in 1498, today widespread in the tropics and subtropics.

Antioxidant, Vitamin C and numerous phytochemicals for health immune boosting. Drink on an empty stomach with water in the morning to cleanse the body.

The juice of the lemon is about 5% to 6% citric acid, which gives the sour taste. Before the development of fermentation-based processes, lemons were the primary commercial source of citric acid.