It bears fruit during dry season and never misses a year without bearing. It can survive the high temperatures of 26ºC – 32ºC. Trees are grown from sea level to an altitude of 800 meters. It can adapt to different soil types even on marginal and acidic lands where no other crop could thrive.
A General Look at the Features and Uses of the Cashew Plant:
| Part | Length/ Height/ Width | Shape and/or Color | Special Features | Uses |
| Full-grown tree | 10-12 meters | Small, domed-shaped
crown (Canopy) Irregularly-shaped trunk |
evergreen | Good species for
reforestation, beautify landscapes as ornamental plants, provide shade by intercropping with other smaller plants Fence and lumber for construction of boats and ferries Bark is used to cure sore gums and tooth ache |
| Leaf | 4 to 22 cm long and 2 to 15 cm broad | spirally arranged, elliptic to obovate, green to yellow-green | leathery textured | Young leaves can be
eaten raw or tossed into green salad Medicinal cure for burns, skin ailments and stomach disorders, |
| Flower | petals 7 to 15 mm long | small, pale green at first then turning reddish, with five slender, acute petals | produced in a panicle or corymb up to 26 cm long, | |
| Cashew apple | 5–11 cm long | oval or pear-shaped
ripens into a yellow and/or red structure Elongated, heart-shaped |
accessory fruit or false fruit | can be eaten raw or used in the production of jam, chutney, or various beverages such as wine |
| Drupe Containing the nut or the seed |
kidney or boxing-glove shape | true fruit of the cashew tree | Cashew nuts, kernel
has aphrodisiac properties, zero cholesterol and balances cholesterol
level, nerve tonic, steady stimulant and body builder Nut meat is used as antidote for irritant poisons Contains Cashew Nut Shell liquid (CNSL) used to treat leprosy, elephantiasis, psoriasis, warts, corn and cracks in the soles of the feet |
|
| Roots | 1.5 x the height of the tree | Has purgative properties |
Cashew trees start to bear fruits 2-3 years from planting. Full bearing is reached in ten to fifteen years and continues for another twenty or more years. The trees have a life span of 30-40 years or more.Cashew trees start to bear fruits 2-3 years from planting. Full bearing is reached in ten to fifteen years and continues for another twenty or more years. The trees have a life span of 30-40 years or more.
This is the accessory fruit/ false fruit. This is also the edible, juicy portion which is about 10 times heavier than the nut when ripe. When the apple is fully ripe, it detaches from the twig and falls to the ground. It is elongated, round or heart shaped, hence the name Anacardium which means “shaped like a heart”. The very young apple is green or purple, turning yellow or red when ripe. The ripe apple has a peculiar smell. It contains mostly invert sugar and high in vitamin C. The tannin content of the apples causes the astringent.
| Juice | 85% |
| Sugar | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 234 mg- 371 mg |
| Riboflavin | 99 mg – 124 mg |
This is the real fruit that grows on top of the pseudo fruit or the apple. Within the drupe is the seed called the cashew nut. When cut cross-wise, it has the following parts:
- The shell or the protective covering of the kernel
- The testa or the thin layer between the shell and the kernel
- The kernel is the milky, edible part of the cashew nut
| Neutral lipid | 96% |
| Glycolipid and phospholipids | 4% |