hiccup-nut, noun

Forms:
Also hiccough nut, and with initial capital.
Origin:
See quotation 1983.
The shrub or small tree Combretum bracteosum of the Combretaceae, bearing bright red blooms, and found mainly on the coasts of KwaZulu-Natal and the (former) Transkei.
1862 Harvey & Sonder Flora Capensis II. 512P. bracteosum...Called ‘Hiccup-nut’ in the colony.
1868 J. Chapman Trav. II. 447The exquisite heads of scarlet flowers of the Hiccup-nut.
1899 Wood & Evans Natal Plants I. 63The fruit is known locally as ‘Hiccup Nut’ and is palatable, but usually produces violent hiccough.
1951 Dict. of Gardening (Royal Horticult. Soc.) II. 531C. bracteosum, Hiccup-nut.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 247Hiccough-nut,..The vernacular name was..apparently derived from the alleged use of the fruit to relieve hiccoughs.
1975 J.M. Gibson Wild Flowers of Natal Pl.71Combretum bracteosum, This sturdy shrub is 2 m or more in height...The fruit..has one seed inside, which produces violent hiccoughs. Hence it is known as the ‘Hiccup Nut’.
1977 E. Palmer Field Guide to Trees of Sn Afr. 235Combretum bracteosum, Hiccough Nut.
1983 K.C. Palgrave Trees of Sn Afr. 664The source of the common name, hiccup-nut, is somewhat obscure; while Medley Wood said that the edible fruits produced hiccups, C.A. Smith held that they were used in treating the complaint.
1987 F. Von Breitenbach Nat. List of Indigenous Trees 144Combretum bracteosum...Hiccup Nut, Hiccup Creeper.
The shrub or small tree Combretum bracteosum of the Combretaceae, bearing bright red blooms, and found mainly on the coasts of KwaZulu-Natal and the (former) Transkei.
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