Medium size, beautiful flowering tree that is also used in SE Asia as vegetable. Found in groups in mixed deciduous forest, common in dry region upto 1,000 m above sea level. The colourful leaves and and fast growing characteristics make this species suitable for ornamental planting. The shoots are eaten raw with chili sauce (nam phrik). The flowers are also served raw with nam phrik or with vermicelli and fish curry. The fruit is eaten fresh. Fruit is globose, fleshy, 4-6 cm long, 5 cm wide. Seeds oblong. The tree is normally grown from seeds. Multiplication is possible with stem cutting or layering, and separation of root suckers. The fruits are globose and heavy thus planting spot needs careful planning.

Similar plants:

• Planchonia careya, Barringtonia careya, Careya australis (Cocky Apple, Cockatoo Apple, Billygoat Plum)
• Hitchenia careyana, Curcuma careyana (Praying Mantle Ginger)
• Barringtonia acutangula (Freshwater Mangrove, Indian Oak, Indian Putat )
• Barringtonia asiatica, Mammea asiatica, Barringtonia speciosa, Agasta asiatica, Butonica rumphina (Sea Poison Tree, Langasat, Fish Poison Tree, Putat Laut, Butun, Butong, Pertun, Balubiton, Lugo, Motong-botong, Vuton)
• Barringtonia calyptrata (Mango Pine, Cassowary Pine)
• Barringtonia edulis (Cut Nut, Pili Nut)
• Barringtonia papuana, Barringtonia josephstaalensis (Kun-job, Fish-killer Tree)
• Barringtonia racemosa (Putat Kampung, Fish-killer Tree, Fish-poison Wood, Freshwater Mangrove)
• Barringtonia sp. (Barringtonia)