Antidesma bunius

Antidesma bunius

The bignay or bugnay, bignai, Chinese-laurel, Queensland-cherry, salamander-tree, wild cherry, currant tree (Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng.) is an arboreal species belonging to the Phyllanthaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
(clade) Angiosperms,
(clade) Mesangiosperms,
(clade) Eudicotyledons,
(clade) Central Eudicotyledons,
(clade) Superrosides,
(clade) Rosidis,
(clade) Eurosides,
(clade) COM,
Malpighiales Order,
Phyllanthaceae family,
Subfamily Antidesmatoideae,
Tribe Antidesmateae,
Subtribe Antidesmatinae,
Genus Antidesma,
Species A. bunius.
The terms are synonyms:
– Antidesma andamanicum Hook.f.;
– Antidesma bunias (L.) Spreng.;
– Antidesma bunius var. bunius;
– Antidesma bunius var. cordifolium (C.Presl) Müll.Arg.;
– Antidesma bunius var. floribundum (Tul.) Müll.Arg.;
– Antidesma bunius var. genuinum Müll.Arg.;
– Antidesma bunius var. pubescens Petra Hoffm.;
– Antidesma bunius var. sylvestre (Lam.) Müll.Arg.;
– Antidesma bunius var. wallichii Müll.Arg.;
– Antidesma ciliatum C.Presl;
– Antidesma collettii Craib;
– Antidesma cordifolium C.Presl;
– Antidesma crassifolium (Elmer) Merr.;
– Antidesma floribundum Tul.;
– Antidesma glabellum K.D.Koenig;
– Antidesma glabellum K.D.Koenig ex Benn.;
– Antidesma glabrum Tul.;
– Antidesma retusum Zipp.;
– Antidesma retusum Zipp. ex Span.;
– Antidesma rumphii Tul.;
– Antidesma stilago Forsyth f.;
– Antidesma stilago Poir.;
– Antidesma sylvestre Lam.;
– Antidesma thorelianum Gagnep.;
– Sapium crassifolium Elmer;
– Stilago bunius L..

Etymology –
The term Antidesma, according to some authors, comes from the two Greek words “ἀντί” (anti) = against and “δέσμα” (desma), i.e. tie, bond, bandage. For the physician and botanist Joannes Burman (1706-1780) it would mean poison, with reference to its use against snake bite.
The specific epithet bunius would derive, according to the German biologist and botanist Georg Eberhard Rumph (Rumphius) (1627-1702), from a local name (Herbarium Amboinense).

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Antidesma bunius is a plant native to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
The plant is present in Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Jiangxi, Yunnan and Xizang), Philippines, Java, India, Andaman Islands, Christmas Islands, Nicobar Islands, eastern Himalaya, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Moluccas, Myanmar, New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand and Vietnam.
Its natural habitat is that of rainforests and semi-evergreen tropical forests, Dipterocarpaceae and teak forests, on river banks, on forest edges, along roadsides, in bamboo groves, in semi-cultivated and cultivated areas, in shady or open areas, usually in secondary vegetation but also in primary vegetation. In these areas it grows up to about 1800 m above sea level.

Description –
Antidesma bunius is a plant with variable morphology from low and shrubby or tall and erect, which can reach up to about 30 meters in height.
In the largest specimens the trunk can be up to 1 meter in diameter and unbranched for 10 metres. It is usually straight, but is often fluted or buttressed which can be up to 3 meters high and 10 cm wide.
The leaves are evergreen, coriaceous and oval in shape, up to about 20 cm long and 7 cm wide. They are borne on the twigs of the tree with short petioles, creating a dense canopy.
It is a dioecious plant, with male and female flowers growing on separate trees. The flowers have a strong, somewhat unpleasant scent.
The flowers are grouped in inflorescences with numerous tiny flowers, of about 2 mm of diameter, without petals; the male ones are axillary or terminal, ramified, 6-20 cm long; the female ones are terminal, rarely ramified, 8-20 cm long. The male flowers are sessile with a calyx with 3-4 lobes, rarely 5, 1-1,5 mm long, and stamens, in a number equal to the lobes, 2-3 mm long, with reddish anthers; The female flowers are on a 0,5-1,5 mm long pedicel, 2-6 mm in fruit, with calyx similar to the male one, glabrous or pubescent ovary and 3-4, rarely up to 6, stigmas.
Female specimens can also bear hermaphrodite flowers and bear abundant fruit in the absence of male plants.
The fruits are spherical drupes just under 1 cm wide, hanging singly or coupled in long and heavy clusters. They are white in color when immature and gradually turn red and then black.
Each cluster of fruit ripens unevenly, so the fruits in a cluster are all different colors. The peel of the fruit has red juice, while the pulp is white and has a colorless juice.
The fruit contains a light colored seed. The fruit has a tart, cranberry-like flavor when immature, and a sour but sweet flavor when ripe.

Cultivation –
Antidesma bunius is an ornamental evergreen plant due to its luxuriant foliage and showy infructescences with variously colored fruits.
This plant is suitable for being cultivated in the tropical and humid subtropical zones and marginally in the milder temperate-warm zones, where temperatures just under the 0 °C are a short-lasting exception, but where usually it does not get to fructify. It requires full sun or slight shade and is not particular about the soil, even poor, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, but grows best in the fertile ones maintained almost constantly humid.
The plant thrives at elevations of up to 1,200 meters in Java and can grow as far away as central Florida and is an abundant and invasive species in the Philippines.
It grows best in a sunny or light shaded location in fertile, moisture retaining soil.
From a pedological point of view, it grows in many types of soil but prefers a pH between 6 – 7, tolerating 5.5 – 8.
Protective windbreaks are recommended for young plants.
Trees can start producing fruit in 5 – 6 years if reproduced from seed, or in as little as 2 – 3 years from grafted plants.
For cultivation it is recommended to plant one male tree for every 10-12 females to provide cross-pollination.
It reproduces by seed, with the first flowering after 4-6 years, but usually and easily we resort to the vegetative reproduction to be sure of the sex and of the variety, by means of cutting, grafting or air layering, with the first flowering after 2-3 years.

Customs and Traditions –
Antidesma bunius is a plant known by various names: chinese laurel, salamander-tre, wild cherry (English); wǔ yùe chā (China); bignay, bugnai (Philippines); buni, wuni (Java); amati, bol aborak, cerutali, janu polari, kari komme, nolaittali (India); kho lien tu (Laos); barune, berunai, buni, lundu (Malaysia); kata kuti (Moluccas); Himalayan (Nepal); bunih (Sulawesi); buni, huni (Sumatra); ma mao dong, ma mao luang (Thailand); choi moi tia, chòi mòi lá dono (Vietnam).
This species is often cultivated in certain areas of origin, often near villages and in family orchards for fruit. These are rich in citric acid, consumed raw or used in sauces to accompany fish, for syrups and jams or to obtain alcoholic beverages, while the young leaves are consumed, as vegetables, with rice-based dishes.
The fruits can be eaten raw or cooked and used in jellies, preserves, etc. When fully ripe, the fruit is juicy and slightly sweet.
The fruit is compared by some people to blueberries and is mostly eaten by children.
The fruit stains the fingers and mouth.
Some tasters detect a bitter or unpleasant aftertaste, imperceptible to others; however it is a genetic factor as there is an inverse correlation between the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide and bitterness in A. bunius.
In the medicinal use roots, leaves and fruits are used which are used in traditional medicine in traumas, the fruits in gastro-intestinal disorders, indigestion, dysentery and in diabetes, in particular the hypoglycaemic activity of the extracts seems to be confirmed by some laboratory studies . Finally, the bark is used locally to make sturdy ropes.
The roots of specimens growing in Africa are poisonous. Parts of the plant other than the fruit can be toxic.
Other uses include agroforestry.
It is a natural pioneer species, often common in the early stages of secondary forest succession and also invading marginal grasslands.
The tree has occasionally been employed in reforestation projects. However while this species appears to be an excellent choice as a pioneer for woodland creation, preferably used within its native range, it has a tendency to invade natural habitats.
The wood is reddish and hard. If soaked in water it becomes heavy and hard; it is appreciated for building in general, even if it is not very durable in contact with the ground and is also subject to attack by termites. Lumber was experimentally pulped to make cardboard.
The bark produces a strong fiber for cordage.

Method of Preparation –
Antidesma bunius is a plant cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas for its fruits which are edible raw and very often used to make wine and tea, as well as jams and jellies.
The edible fruit is highly prized in many parts of Asia, where it is both harvested from the wild and often grown in villages and home orchards. The fruit is sometimes sold in local markets.
If the juice extracted from the fruits is kept in the refrigerator for a day or two, a somewhat astringent sediment is deposited, which can be discarded, thus improving the flavor.
Furthermore, the young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or steamed and used as a side dish for rice. They have a slightly sour taste but turn brown when cooked and keep their consistency well. They can be cooked with other foods to give them their tart flavor.
In traditional medicine, leaves, fruits and leaves are used for various remedies.
The bark also contains a toxic alkaloid.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/45921487/original.jpg

Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.