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Description: Crataeva religiosa is a multi-branched deciduous tree or shrub in the caper family (Capparaceae) with three-lobed palmate leaves, produces large attractive whitish to milky white or yellowish flowers in terminal dense corymbs. C. religiosa is sometimes called the “spider tree: because the showy flowers bear many long, spider-like stamens. The fruit is technically a berry, with globose or sometimes oblong brownish-green fruit that have a woody rind; often the fruit are shaped somewhat like cucumbers about 6-15 cm (2-6 in) long and contain embedded seeds in yellowish pulp. Falanruw (2015:60) referred to this species as a “lovely tree of agroforests, spectacular when in flower, but blooming for only a short period.”
Distribution: Crataeva religiosa is often referred to as the “garlic pear” or, as Tuyama (1941)indicated: “an apple of south seas islands.” The C. religiosa treeis widely distributed in tropical to subtropical areas of the Indian Ocean Islands, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, Australia and some Pacific Islands. It is commonly found along roadsides as well as banks of rivers and streams. This species may have been introduced as a tree crop into Micronesia by early voyagers (at least to some of these islands or atolls). As an indigenous or introduced tree crop, C. religiosa but has been valued as an important food in Chuuk, Pohnpei and Yap, but mainly on the atoll islands. According to the Catalogue of Life website (accessed October 28th 2016), C. religiosa has been recorded occurring in the following Micronesian locations:Tthe Palau Islands (Kayangl, Babeldaob, Koror, Malakal, Urukthapel, Ngeanges, Toirechuil, Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi), Yap, Ulithi, Fais, Eauripik, Woleai, Faraulap, Ifaluk, Lamotrek, Satawal, Namonuito, Murilo, Nomwin, Chuuk (Moen, Dublon, Tol, Pis, Nama, Losap, Namoluk, Etal, Lukunor, Satawan, Nukuoro, Ant and Pohnpei.
Uses by Island or Island Group: In both India and in some Pacific Islands Crataeva religiosa the garlic pear, is credited with occult powers and consequently was planted around temples, and because of this association, the specific epithet (religiosa) was chosen by the original author of the species binomial name, G. Forster. This small tree has considerable horticultural potential because of its showy white flowers produced while it is leafless. It is often cultivated where it naturally occurs from India to Southeast Asia, and its fruit is edible after the rind is removed; “Garlic pear may have a repugnant taste to those not used to eating it, but has been considered a delicacy by those who grew up eating this food” (Englberger et al. 2009:7). In addition, to its edibility, this species has significant herbal medicine value. For example, Patil and Gaikwad (2011) tell us that C. religiosa “is well known for its various pharmacological properties like diuretic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, antioxidant, antioxaluric, hepatoprotectant, lithonotriptic, antirehumatic, antiperiodic, antimycotic, contraceptive, antipyretic, antilithitic, antihelminthic, rubifacient and vesicant properties.” These authors also report that the bark of the C. religiosa is useful in treating urinary disorders and kidney stone removal, with the active principle being lupeol, “a triterpenoid which is mainly involved in the pharmacological activities of this plant.” Englberger and her colleagues (2009:7) reported that “considerable indigenous knowledge relating to the production and food preparation methods for Crateva religiosa” does still remain among some Micronesian peoples; however, there is concern about the current and future loss of this knowledge, especially among the youth who should preserve the traditional knowledge still retained among “key informants from those islands where garlic pear has been an important food, eaten raw or cooked in coconut cream, in particular in the Mortlocks of Chuuk, Mwoakilloa of Pohnpei, and in Yap.” Englberger et al. (2009:7) did the first analysis of the carotenoid content of the Garlic pear from the Mortlock Atolls of Chuuk which indicated it has substantial concentrations of these terpinoid components that can act as antioxidants within the body, protecting against cellular damage, the effects of aging, and even apparently some chronic diseases; thus the garlic pear should therefore “be promoted for its potential health benefits, including protection against vitamin A deficiency, as well as anemia, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.”
Uses in Palau: Considered to be a source of famine food in Palau Crataeva religiosa also has traditional medicinal applications. According to Okabe (1941, see Defillips et al. 1988) parts of C. religiosa can be used to treat bruises. In addition, the inner bark is scraped and used to relieve a toothache (Cynthia Chin, personal communication, 2002).
Uses in Yap: Crataeva religiosa is woody species has somewhat special importance in central Micronesia as a cultivated plant, especially on the atolls. The fruits are a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and phosphorous, and are considered tasty by some. They may be eaten raw when ripe or cooked (boiled), but the skin must be removed before the fruit can be eaten. On Yap, Abiich (or Abiuuch) is a secondary crop that can be preserved by sun drying, but is now viewed as a food for old people (e.g., see Barrau 1961). The leaves and bark are used in traditional medicine for a number of ailments such as headaches. Okabe (see Defillips et al. 1988) recorded a series of medicinal uses for C. religiosa in Yap. For example, according to Okabe, in Ugiri District, bark from a curved part of a branch is said to be useful for treating stomach aches; in Ururu District the leaves of this plant have been used to treat bruises, or even “a sarcoma,” while in Nif District the leaves have been used in combination with parts of other species (Acrostichum aureum and Allophylus timoriensis) for myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord); and leaves and bark of C. religiosa have been used in preparations to treat gonorrhea in some areas of Yap. Okabe also referred to the use of C. religiosa in the Rumon District for treating leprosy, while on Ifaluk Atoll the leaves and bark are said to be pounded and then put “into a green coconut and drunk as treatment for itching and rash.” Falanruw (2015:60) referred to varietal differences and uses of this small tree in Yap:
“New flowers are white, becoming cream-colored, sometimes used in nunu leis. There are two main varieties on Yap: a variety with small fruits with seeds used medicinally, and a seedless variety with larger fruit. Fruit has a sweet, musky garlic smell. Delicious boiled with coconut milk; especially appreciated in Yap atolls.”
On Fais Island: Crataeva religiosa (known as yafuch on Fais Island) is reportedly used for medicine and its fruit are eaten on this raised atoll island (Fosberg and Evans 1969:7).
Uses in Chuuk: Crataeva religiosa has some importance on the low, coral islands of Central Micronesia as a cultivated plant (Alkire 1978). As noted above, the fruits are a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and phosphorous, and are considered tasty by some. They may be eaten raw when ripe or cooked (boiled), but the skin must be removed. Englberger and her colleagues (2009) studied the garlic pear (C. religiosa) collected from the Mortlock Atolls of Chuuk State; their study was most likely the first analyzes for carotenoid content in these fruit. They found that they contain substantial concentrations of carotenoid, the plant pigments that play an important role in plant health, as well as human well-being. Englberger and her colleagues therefore argued that the garlic pear should “be promoted for [its] potential health benefits, including protection against vitamin A deficiency, as well as anemia, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes” (see Englberger et al. 2009:3, figure 4,b for photographs of the fruits of this species, as well as a “mwarmwar” lei made in Micronesia using orange-colored sections of a Crateva fruit: “The cut pieces of Afuch fruit, [shows] the orange-fleshed coloration, [which] are presently commonly used in ornamental wreathes”). On the islands in Chuuk lagoon, the fragrant rind of the fruit is threaded into flower leis; and it is reportedly eaten, mainly in times of famine (e.g., see Manner 2013:230). On Nama Island, children are said to bury these fruits in the sand at the beach, and then dig them up later when they have ripened. On Murilo Atoll, the fruit is cooked and eaten (e.g., see Stone 1959:101). On some outer islands, fresh leaves are pounded and the juice squeezed onto fresh cuts. On Puluwat Atoll, the fruit is consumed and the flowers are used in garlands. On Losap Atoll, C. religiosa, known locally as “afuch,” was observed as a common “understory agroforest species, abundant on Lewel Islet only,” and its fruit reportedly eaten (Manner and Sana 1995:64). For Namoluk Atoll, Marshall (1975:35) reported on the distribution and use of Crateva speciosa on this atoll where it is known as Afuch:
“Grows all over the interior portions of the islets amidst heavy brush. The pungent fruit is eaten but not cultivated, and it is also sliced thin and woven into leis. The trunk often is cut and used as a disposable coconut husking stake, and the leaves serve as mulch for Colocasia esculenta [true or sweet taro] and as a medicinal ingredient.”
Marshall (1975:13-14) also noted that the Micronesian Starling (Aplonis apacus) as quite common in the “brush” on Namoluk Atoll,” and that this terrestrial bird feeds on the fruit of select local trees including C. speciosa, which may help explain the presence of this tree on remote Namoluk Atoll.
Uses in Pohnpei: The ripe fruits of C. religiosa are reportedly eaten as food on Pohnpei (see Balick 2009:346).