Nance Tree

Other Names: Golden Spoon, Nancy Tree

Botanical Name: Byrsomia crassifolia (Malpighiaceae)

THE LOVELY FRUIT TREE OF THE JUNGLE DRESSES FOR A STARRING ROLE

The Nance tree is a charming fruit tree native to Tropical America. The tree grows slowly up to 15 m (50 feet) tall and reaches 50 cm (20 inch) diameter trunk. In the scale of the rainforest, the size of the Nanace tree is quite small, but the charmingly changing colors and the delightful treats it has to offer make it a great tree.

The branches, starting from the lower part of the trunk, grow densely in the graceful round-shaped top. The wood is utilized to manufacture furniture and floors. The Nance tree sheds part of its leaves for the dry season, but turns back to a delicate green as the rainy season begins. Before falling, the leaves turn red giving the impression of a tree changing her dress.

THE FLOWERS AND THE FRUITS ARE LIKE JEWELS CHANGING TONES

The Nance tree blooms and bears fruit from February to May. The flowers, growing in clusters, are tiny and bright. New flowers are yellow, but turn to orange and red as they mature. The tree gets one of its names “Golden Spoon” from its flowers. Every little flower petal looks like a tiny spoon. The fruits are small, ball-shaped berries with a diameter of 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inch), also growing in clusters. The fruits are green and turn yellow or orange when ripe. The ripe succulent fruits are enjoyable as such. The fruits are sweet or sour depending on the individual tree. They are often conserved in a bottle of water, and this way they can be preserved for months. They can therefore be used to prepare fresh-tasting and refreshing juice or jam at any time.

BEAUTIFUL TREE HEALING TENDERLY

The Nance tree offers several gifts to nature’s pharmacy. The medicine made out of its bark helps both internally and externally, and is used to treat diarrhea, pulmonary diseases, rashes and wounds. In Central America, a cup of leaf tea taken three times per day is believed to help alleviate rheumatism, aching bones, anemia and common fatigue.