The Flacourtiaceae family is currently outdated
(defunct), with some 1000+ species revised into new families comprising mainly
of Achariaceae and Salicaceae. The strictly tropical Achariaceae incorporates one species with highly poisonous attributes known as Pangium
edule. It is a large Southeast Asian tree with spirally
arranged, heart-shaped leaves and small white flowers. Pangium fruit is football-sized, it contains numerous triangular seeds which are spread by water. All parts of P. edule contain a cyanogenic glycoside called gynocardin. When the plant tissues are injured, gynocardin releases hydrogen cyanide (HCN). HCN is deadly because it prevents human body from using energy. In high doses, HCN is one of the most rapidly fatal poisons. The seeds of P. edule are particularly rich in cyanide, they are
used as fish poison, or as meat preservative because cyanide can suppress
the growth of bacteria. Interestingly, Pangium seeds are highly prized cuisine in Southeast Asia. They are known
locally as “kepayang’’ or ‘’keluwek’’, the poisonous seeds are buried in ash and fermented for a
few months to be detoxified.
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Pangium edule seeds
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Pangium edule, germinating seedlings.
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Pangium edule, foliage
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