Kuchala / Poison Nut Tree
Strychnos nux-vomica
Also known as Quaker Button, Nux-Vomica Tree, Snakewood Tree, Strychnine Tree
- Habit
- Tree
- Found in India
- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & more
- Flowering
- March-December
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Strychnos nux-vomica
- Genus
- Strychnos
- Family
- Loganiaceae
- Habit
- Tree
- Habitat
- Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains
- Habitat type
- Forest
- Distribution
- India, Sri Lanka, Indo-China, Malesia, Myanmar, Siam
- Found in India
- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka
- Flowering & fruiting
- March-December
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Local Names
- Hindi
- जहर Jahar, कजरा Kajara, कुचला Kuchala
- Bengali
- কুচিলা Kuchila
- Tamil
- அக்கு Akku, எட்டி மரம் Etti-Maram, காகோடி Kakodi, Yetti
- Telugu
- ముష్టిగంగ Mooshtiganga, ముష్టి Mushti, ముషిడి Musidi, ముషిడి
- Kannada
- ಹೆಮ್ಮುಷ್ಟಿ Hemmushti, ಇಟ್ಟಿ Itti, ಕಾಡಿಟ್ಟಿ Kaaditti, ಕಾಸರಕ
- Malayalam
- കാഞ്ഞിരം Kaanjiram, കാഞ്ഞിരം, കാരസ്കരം
- Marathi
- काजरा Kajara, कुचला Kuchala, काजरा
Kuchala in India
This tree, known as जहर Jahar (Hindi), அக்கு Akku (Tamil), ముష్టిగంగ Mooshtiganga (Telugu), ಹೆಮ್ಮುಷ್ಟಿ Hemmushti (Kannada), കാഞ്ഞിരം Kaanjiram (Malayalam), काजरा Kajara (Marathi), is best known for its highly toxic seeds. Strychnos nux-vomica is found across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, typically in deciduous forest.
Uses
Its seeds contain strychnine and related alkaloids and have a documented history of use in traditional preparations under highly controlled, expert conditions — but the raw seed is dangerously toxic, and this is not a plant to self-treat with or forage; any traditional use requires trained expert processing.
How to Identify Kuchala
A tree with glossy, broad, strongly veined opposite leaves. Small greenish-white flowers cluster at the branch tips, followed by round, hard-shelled orange fruit resembling a small orange, containing several flat, disc-shaped, hairy seeds — the toxic part of the plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Poison nut Tree called in different Indian languages?
- जहर Jahar (Hindi); அக்கு Akku (Tamil); ముష్టిగంగ Mooshtiganga (Telugu); ಹೆಮ್ಮುಷ್ಟಿ Hemmushti (Kannada); കാഞ്ഞിരം Kaanjiram (Malayalam); काजरा Kajara (Marathi); কুচিলা Kuchila (Bengali).
- Are nux vomica seeds dangerous?
- Yes — the seeds contain strychnine and related alkaloids and are highly toxic if ingested raw or unprocessed; this plant should never be self-administered or foraged.
- Is the fruit edible?
- No — while the fruit resembles a small orange, both the fruit pulp and especially the seeds are unsafe to eat and should not be consumed.
Loganiaceae
Logania Family
Kuchala belongs to the Loganiaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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Common plant problems
All plant problem & care guides →More in Loganiaceae
View all Loganiaceae →Sources: GBIF — Strychnos nux-vomica (India distribution & vernacular names) (CC BY 4.0) · Wikipedia — Strychnos nux-vomica (background/comprehension only) (CC BY-SA 4.0)