Hydnocarpus castaneus is an Asian tree species in the family Achariaceae. It is now accepted that Hydnocarpus anthelminthicus is a synonym and its native range is from Burma, the rest of Indochina through to W. Malesia; this species is now also cultivated in southern China.
This tree species grows to between 10 and 20 m with coriaceous, glabrous leaves 150âÂÂ300 mm long. The spherical fruits are velvety and brown-black, with a diameter of 70âÂÂ150 mm and containing 30âÂÂ50 fleshy 15-20mm seeds.
Also widely known under its name H. anthelminthicus, suggesting anthelmintic properties, the Vietnamese is lá» ná»Âi (sometimes ÃÂại phong tá»Â). It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it may be called dàfÃÂng zàor æ³°å½大é£Âå tai guo da feng zi.