Category: Botanical facts

With a global market for 'lotus seeds' worth millions, a major botanical identity crisis has emerged. The surprising truth is that the crunchy, popcorn-like snack known as makhana is not a lotus seed at all.

The manchineel fruit, infamously known as the 'little apple of death,' is deceptively small, typically measuring only 1 to 2 inches (2 to 5 cm) in diameter. This unassuming size, combined with its sweet smell, masks an extreme toxicity that poses a severe threat to unsuspecting humans.

The average American consumes a significant amount of cashews annually, but a common point of confusion remains: is a cashew a nut or legume? Botanically speaking, this buttery snack is neither, and its surprising classification is more complex than you might think.

The ackee fruit is famously part of Jamaica's national dish, but a critical distinction exists between its edible arils and its inedible seeds. It is a vital health fact that the ackee seeds are highly toxic and should never be ingested, though other parts of the plant have been used safely for centuries.

A single pineapple is not one fruit, but a composite of many berries fused together. This surprising botanical fact helps answer the common question: Is a pineapple a vegetable or a fruit? The classification depends entirely on whether you are considering it from a scientific or a culinary perspective.

While some parts of the Entada genus are consumed after extensive processing, it is a significant fact that the raw seeds of species like *Entada rheedii* and *Entada phaseoloides* are toxic. Indigenous communities have developed careful preparation methods over centuries to remove toxic compounds like saponins, highlighting the importance of understanding specific species and proper handling.