Strychnos ignatii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strychnos ignatii |
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Strychnos
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ignatii
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Strychnos ignatii is a tree that grows in the Philippines and parts of China. It is sometimes called the Saint Ignatius' bean tree. This tree is part of the Loganiaceae plant family.
The tree was first described by a Jesuit brother named Georg Joseph Kamel. He was working in the Philippines. Kamel named the seeds "the beans of St. Ignatius" to honor the founder of his religious group.
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What is the Saint Ignatius' Bean Tree?
The Strychnos ignatii tree is native to the Philippines, especially in areas like Catbalogan. It also grows in certain parts of China. This plant is known for its special seeds.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The plant was named by Georg Joseph Kamel. He was a Moravian (Czech) Jesuit brother. Kamel named the plant after Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Saint Ignatius was the person who started Kamel's religious order.
In the Philippines, this tree has other names too. People call it aguwason, dankkagi (in the Visayan language), or igasud (in the Cebuano language).
What Does the Fruit Look Like?
The fruit of the Strychnos ignatii tree is about the size and shape of a pear. Inside this fruit are seeds. These seeds look a bit like almonds. They are known as Saint Ignatius' beans.
Are the Beans Safe to Eat?
The beans from the Strychnos ignatii plant contain very strong natural chemicals. These chemicals are called alkaloids, like strychnine and brucine. Because of these powerful substances, the beans are not safe for people to eat. It is very important to remember that these beans should never be consumed.
See also
In Spanish: Haba de San Ignacio para niños
