Anacardium occidentale
Anacardium occidentale
Anacardium occidentale (pronunciation: /ˌænəˈkɑːrdiəm ˌɒksɪˈdɛntəleɪ/), commonly known as the Cashew tree, is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple. It can grow as high as 14 m (46 ft), but the dwarf cashew, growing up to 6 m (20 ft), has proved more profitable, with earlier maturity and higher yields.
Etymology
The species name occidentale derives from the Latin for "western". The genus name Anacardium, originally from the Greek, refers to the shape of the fruit, which looks like an inverted heart (ana- "upwards" and -cardium "heart").
Description
The cashew tree is large and evergreen, growing to 10-12m (~32 ft) tall, with a short, often irregularly shaped trunk. The leaves are spirally arranged, leathery textured, elliptic to obovate, 4–22 cm long and 2–15 cm broad, with smooth margins.
Cultivation and uses
The cashew seed is often considered a nut in the culinary sense; this cashew nut is eaten on its own, used in recipes, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter. The shell of the cashew seed yields derivatives that can be used in many applications including lubricants, waterproofing, paints, and, starting in World War II, arms production.
Related terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anacardium occidentale
- Wikipedia's article - Anacardium occidentale
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