A plant genus of the family ANACARDIACEAE. This is the source of the familiar cashew nuts, which are heat treated to remove the irritant toxin. Cashew nut shell liquid (frequently abbreviated as CNSL) is a major source of alkenyl phenolic compounds, especially ANACARDIC ACIDS, cardol, and cardanol.
    

concept

A coffee tree (Coffea species), nutmeg plant (Myristica fragrans) and cashew nut tree (Anacardium occidentale): flowers and fruit. Coloured engraving, c. 1827.

Cashew nut or acajou (Anacardium occidentale L.): flowering and fruiting branch with separate sectioned flowers and fruit. Chromolithograph by P. Depannemaeker, c. 1885, after B. Hoola van Nooten.

Anacardium

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Cashew nut tree (Anacardium occidentale): fruiting and flowering branch. Coloured etching by J. Pass, c. 1796, after J. Ihle.

A coffee tree (Coffea species), nutmeg plant (Myristica fragrans) and cashew nut tree (Anacardium occidentale): flowers and fruit. Coloured engraving, c. 1827.

Cashew nut or acajou (Anacardium occidentale): flowering and fruiting stem. Coloured aquatint by W. Hooker after J. Forbes, 1772.

Cashew nut or acajou (Anacardium occidentale L.): flowering and fruiting branch with separate sectioned flowers and fruit. Chromolithograph by P. Depannemaeker, c. 1885, after B. Hoola van Nooten.