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Hydnocarpus alpinus
Achariaceae FAMILY

Hydnocarpus alpinus

Hydnocarpus alpinus

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the seeds of many members of this genus contain cyanogenic glycosides[1, 2]. In very small quantities this has been used medicinally, having been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Tree
Growth—

Species in this genus generally require well-drained sandy or loamy silt soils and grow best along creek beds or on the banks of streams[3]. Seeds tend to go rancid rather quickly. Therefore ripe fruits should be opened and the fruit pulp and aril removed from the seeds. Seeds are then washed and dried in the sun. Sun-dried seeds, either whole or broken, are cold-pressed or pressed under concurrent heating to extract the oil. The chemical composition of the end-product of these methods varies[2]. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, when it will usually germinate quickly. Germination of stored seed can be slow, with some species in the genus taking up to 2 years. Sow the seed in a shaded position in a nursery seedbed and keep moist. Grow on the seedlings in shade until large enough to plant out[2]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Hydnocarpus+alpinus>

Pollinators

Insects

References

  1. [1]Medicinal Plants of China — Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. · Reference Publications, Inc. · 1985 · ISBN 0-917256-20-4 ↩︎Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
  2. [2]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
  3. [3]The Chaulmoogra Tree and some Related Species - A survey conducted in Siam, Burma, Assam and Bengal — Rock J.F. · Government Printing Office, Washington. · 1922 ↩︎A review of various species in the genus Hydnocarpus that are the source of the medicinal oil Chaulmoogra.
  4. [4]The Flora of British India. (in 7 volumes) — Hooker J.D. · L.Reeve & Co.; London · 1872 - 1897 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎Rather dated, but has some information on plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
  5. [5]A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon — Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D. · Dulau and Co; London. · 1898 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
  6. [6]Economic Products of India. Volume 1. — Watt. G. · Government of India: Calcutta. · 1883 ↩︎Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
  7. [7]Oil Yielding Plants — Botanical Survey of India. · 2004 · http://mnes.nic.in/list/oil-plants.pdf ↩︎A PDF downloaded from the Internet. Very terse details about the applications of oil obtained from over 300 species of plants.
  8. [8]A Manual of Indian Timbers. — Gamble. J. S. · Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh · 1972 · ISBN - ↩︎First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
  9. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎