To the untrained eye, the bawi seems like a harmless, tropical delight—a banana-shaped enigma with a soft kiwi-like interior. But the moment an unsuspecting foreigner takes a bite, they quickly realize that nature has played a cruel joke on them. The bawi is notorious for its mild hallucinogenic effect if eaten before fully ripe. Despite its initial betrayal, the bawi is a staple among Oceanykan locals, who know exactly when to harvest it and how to prepare it properly. Ripe, sun-dried slices are sweet and nutritious, a valuable food source in the bush.
As a fruit, the bawi can be eaten without any risk of food poisoning.