| Semecarpus anacardium | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Anacardiaceae |
| Genus: | Semecarpus |
| Species: | S. anacardium |
| Binomial name | |
| Semecarpus anacardium L.f. |
|
Semecarpus anacardium (Hindi: भिलावा, Sanskrit: अग्निमुख) is a native of India, found in the outer Himalayas to Coromandel Coast. It is closely related to the cashew.[1][2]
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It is known as bhallatak (Hindi: भल्लातक) in India and was called "marking nut" by Europeans, because it was used by washermen to mark cloth and clothing before washing, as it imparted a water insoluble mark to the cloth. It is also known as ker beeja in Kannada and bibba in Marathi.
It is a deciduous tree. The nut is about 25 millimetres (1 in) long, ovoid and smooth lustrous black. In Ayurveda, the fruit is considered a rasayana for longevity and rejuvenation, and is processed before use, as it is toxic in nature.