Introducing Pterygota alata from our Arboretum Collection

This striking seed pod (approximately 10 cm in diameter) comes from the Pterygota alata tree, native to the forests of several South-East Asian countries.

Commonly known in English as the Buddha’s Coconut or Buddha Nut tree, the name comes from the pod’s resemblance to a coconut. Its winged seeds are eaten by some local populations, while the pods themselves are widely exported for decorative use.

The seed casing swells smoothly from the stem, forming a voluptuous, near-spherical shape. This bulbous form is accentuated by a subtle, wavy linear texture running from tip to base. At maturity, the pod splits open, revealing a soft, compressible interior that still carries the impressions of the paired winged seeds it once housed. The opening exposes a distinct cross-section: a woody outer shell surrounding a spongy inner lining.

Check our Arboretum collection for more interesting Nature-objects!