Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Anacardium occidentale

Syn. Acajuba occidentalis

IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

Local name

  • Cashew (English)
  • Kaju (Hindi)
  • Kaju (Gujarati)

Tree type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Anacardiaceae
12m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Anacardium occidentale bark

Bark

Bark greyish brown, rough and fissured. Exudes sticky, caustic resin (cashew balm) when injured.

Anacardium occidentale leaves

Leaves

Simple, alternate, obovate to elliptic. Thick, leathery, smooth margins; prominent midrib. Young leaves reddish.

Anacardium occidentale flower

Flower

Small, fragrant, greenish-yellow to pinkish.

Anacardium occidentale fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

The true fruit is the kidney-shaped cashew nut (hard shell with caustic oil). The swollen peduncle becomes the cashew apple, yellow or red, juicy and edible.

Anacardium occidentale

Did you know?

Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) contains heat-resistant compounds used in industrial products such as automotive brake linings, clutch pads, protective varnishes and specialised high-temperature materials.

Distribution

World map showing distribution

Trinidad to S. Tropical America, Asia, Cameroon, Caroline Is.