Someone growing "chachafruto" or "balú" (Erythrina edulis)?

[huertasurbanas]

It seems a very remarkable species, producing pods as any legume, but with large beans, the size of a pingpong ball or more, very nutritious. I received 5 seeds from Colombia six months ago already germinated in the envelope, and have survived four trees that grow quickly. In three years may bear fruit.

Anyone else on this forum is cultivating this species or knows it?

Photos from other websites:

[stuartdaly88]

I was under the impression that the seeds of all Erythrina were poisonous. DO you need to treat or water leach the seeds before eating?
All Erythrina Iv ever seen have amazingly beautiful flowers and this edulis may be the exception on edibility  within the genus but certainly not on the beauty

[stuartdaly88]

Found this on wikipedia(I know probably not the best source but not bad in general at least when starting investigations):

"To use the grains in human food, they need to be boiled or fried for at least 45 minutes. If the grains are eaten raw frequently, they can be toxic because they contain some alkaloids.[4] All the other Erythrina species contain much more alkaloids and are thus much more toxic. Some of these species resemble the Erythrina edulis species,"

SO cooking seems to eliminate the alkaloids of which it has comparatively low amounts anyway:)
So like some other edible Fabaceae rather not eaten raw.

Interesting thing about the alkaloids of this genus is one of them Cytisine has had good results in helping to cure tobacco addiction pretty cool

[Tomas]

Hello huertasurbanas,

I grew chachafruto a few year ago in Florida. I was never successful (which I suspected even before I started) because of wrong climate. But it was worth a try anyway, that lasted a few months. Watch out for the spiny stem!

Tomas

[huertasurbanas]

Thanks Stuart and Tomas, yes, you have to cook them to eat. There is a lot of info in spanish language about this species, for instance:

http://es.scribd.com/doc/51106027/CHACHAFRUTO-EL-ARBOL-DEL-HOMBRE#scribd


http://www.agronet.gov.co/www/docs_si2/Arbol%20de%20chachafruto.pdf

Tomas what was wrong with your climate? too humid? too cold? I read that it is hardy to some frosts

[Tomas]

Hello huertasurbanas,
 
Too hot and too humid for basul to grow in south Florida. I first read about basul in the book "Lost Crops of the Incas".

Tomas

[barath]

How is your Chachafruto tree doing?  Has it survived a cold winter yet?  I have a few plants of it that I started from seed and I'm debating whether to plant it in the ground here in California -- I would like to, but don't know if it will be hardy in our winter.  Is anyone else growing this?

[mygc]

Just wondering where you guys got your Chachafruto seeds from? I'm interested in buying some. Thanks!

[Luisport]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pPLEMKjAuE

[Luisport]

Anyone have seeds of good chachafruto? I love to buy some...