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A medium sized tree 5-20 m high. The tree has a short tru nk and
brown bark with white latex. On exposure to air the latex turns pale
brown. The latex in the fruit is yellow, the same as that of mangosteen. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate shaped, 10-30 cm
long and 3-15 cm wide. The leaf is pale green when young and becomes
dark green and shiny on the upper surface at maturity. The lower
leaf surface is often hairy. The midrib is prominent with numerous veinlets arranged in parallel.Flowers are borne in the axil. They
are yellowish white with a sour smell. Fruits are 5-8 cm wide The
fruit is soft with a thin skin and has a light yellow colour, which
turns to orange when ripe The seeds are enveloped in an edible pulp
of a darker colour than the skin and have a pleasant taste. One
fruit contains 1-5 brown seeds about 2.5 cm long.
Seed germination is commonly used.The fruits can be eaten fresh, but
they are sour and can be made into an excellent jam. The fruits
contain high phosphorous and carbohydrate
The crushed extract of this fruit is used as a relief expectorant,
for coughs, and scurvy. The crushed extract from the root is used
for the relief of fever, and to reduce poisoning and detoxification.
The crushed extract from the bark is used for cleaning wounds In
Java and Singapore pounded seeds are applied to cure swellings. In
Java the bark is used to dye mats. |
