| Cashew Apple | |
| Anacardium occidentale | |
| a.k.a. Cashew Nut |
The cashew apple is not a true fruit, but the swollen stalk to which the cashew nut is attached. Cashew apples are vitamin-C rich and eaten fresh or juiced in growing areas. The cashew nut is processed and sold worldwide. The apple is often bright red, orange, or yellow in color.
Description: A fast-growing, medium sized tree to 40ft. Flowers are small
and pink, and are usually borne during early summer. Fruits ripen about
three months later. The cashew can be kept to a small size, and will
fruit in a container.
Hardiness: Cashew trees are tropical
and will not grow in areas that have frost. Temperatures below 32F,
even for brief periods, may cause several wood and leaf burn.
Growing Environment: Cashew's
generally prefer ample water, but too much rainfall and/or very high
humidity may retard growth, trees seem to do better in slightly drier
tropical climates. They are quite drought tolerant.
Propagation: Almost exclusively by seed. Budding and air-layering
also sometimes used.
Uses: Fruit is eaten fresh, nut is roasted and eaten. Unroasted nuts and oil are toxic.
Native Range: Native to northeastern Brazil, now grown in much of tropical America and Africa.
Immature fruit, note true fruit at tip