CAJUEIRO DE PIRANG IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST CASHEW TREE

The largest cashew tree in the world is found in the district of Pirangi do Norte, the city of Parnamirim, the Rio Grande do Norte; Pirangi is also a popular beach in Natal.

The tree is said to have been planted in 1888. However, based on its growth nature, “the tree is estimated to be more than a thousand years old.”. The tree produces over 80,000 fruits each year.

The tree grew so much because of the combination of two genetic anomalies.

First, instead of growing upwards, the branches of the tree grow sideways; because of its weight, the branches eventually bend downwards and touch the ground.

Then, the second anomaly takes place: instead of just keep growing resting on the floor, the branches create roots and start to grow up again, as if they were new stems; this causes the impression that there are several trees.

There are two cashew trees in the park; one, cashew tree with the genetic alteration, covers 95% of the park; another one, planted by the same man a few years earlier, had a normal course.

Amazing isn’t it?