2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Nanse (lat. Byrsonima crassifolia) - a fruit plant belonging to the Malpighian family and called in science thick-leaved birsonym.
Description
Nanse is an evergreen small tree, equipped with a rather lush crown and reaching a height of about ten meters.
Arranged alternately elliptical leathery leaves are endowed with wedge-shaped bases and elongated or blunt tops. Their width is on average four to seven centimeters, and their length can vary from 3.2 to 17 cm.
Orange or golden flowers are collected in tassels, the length of which can reach twenty centimeters.
Nanse fruits are slightly flattened or round drupes, the diameter of which ranges from eight to twelve centimeters. Each drupe is covered with a glossy and very thin orange-yellow skin. And inside the fruit there is an oily and juicy white pulp, often with a rather pungent odor and a sweet or sour taste. The seeds in nanse are irregular and very hard, each containing from one to three seeds.
Where grows
South and Central America is considered the birthplace of nanse. In addition, this crop is actively cultivated in the Philippines, Lesser Antilles, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Cuba.
Usage
Fresh fruits of nanse are edible and actively consumed as food. Some people boil them and add them to sauces with soups or eat them as a dessert. In addition, various alcoholic and carbonated drinks are made from the fruits. And this is not without reason - the juicy fruits of nanse have a tonic effect.
These fancy fruits spoil rather quickly when exposed to air, but if you pour them over with water, the nanse can be stored for several months (at least two).
Vitamin K contained in nanse stimulates kidney function and is actively involved in the metabolism of tissues and bones. And ascorbic acid, which is part of the fruit, helps to strengthen the immune system and at times enhances the protective functions of the body. The wonderful fruits contain folic acid, which is necessary for expectant mothers, as well as vitamin A, which is very useful for the health of the eyes. And this vitamin is also necessary for the health of nails, hair and skin.
Nanse bark infusion is an excellent antipyretic and astringent agent, and is also excellent for various viral ailments. In addition, such a decoction helps to solve many gynecological problems. Moreover, it promotes easy childbirth and significantly reduces the risk of miscarriage. And in South America, where the bark is called "alcornoko", it is used for rattlesnake bites and for intermittent fever. A decoction of the bark is also used externally for scabies or for washing wounds.
Unripe fruits are sometimes used for dyeing cotton fabrics - the substances contained in their peel give the material a light brownish tint.
Contraindications
Nanse fruits can only harm people with individual intolerance - there is currently no data on any other contraindications.
Growing and caring
This bizarre exotic tree is distinguished by its unpretentiousness not only to growing conditions, but also to care. As a rule, the first crop is harvested approximately in the third or fourth year after planting the nanse. And the nanse does not need special care in the form of fertilizing and watering. The only thing is that from the very beginning you should take care of the soil, which should be well moistened, fertile and sufficiently loose.
Experienced gardeners assure that it will not be difficult to grow the nanse even on the windowsill in the apartment - however, for this, the miracle tree will have to create the proper conditions. And do not forget that not all varieties are suitable for home cultivation.
