Common Name: Elephant Apple

General Information

Elephant apple is a very ornamental evergreen tree with a rounded crown, that can grow up to 30 metres tall, though is usually smaller. The bole can be 120cm in diameter, often branching from low down[, ].
The plant provides an edible fruit, polish, soap and medicines for the local people. It is often grown in gardens, where it is highly prized for its large, handsome and fragrant flowers, as well as for its edible fruit[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Evergreen forest or tropical rain forest, often along rivers. In Java especially in teak forest, up to 1,100 metres altitude[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,100 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 30 - 40°c, but can tolerate 7 - 47°c[]. Plants can survive occasional, short-lived frosts with temperatures down to about -2°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 3,000 - 4,000mm, but tolerates 2,000 - 5,500mm[].
Prefers a sunny position, but plants can stand shade very well - vigorous saplings have been found in dense shade[, ]. Prefers a well-drained sandy loam and a sunny position[]. Grows best in a rich, slightly acid soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating - 8[].
The dispersal of the seeds is said to be eflfected by animals, among others by elephants, or with current water. In the latter case the seeds may germinate in the fruit, which is left behind on the bank of a river, often partly filled up with mud. which gives a favourable substratum for the germination[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The aromatic, acid, juicy fruit is usually used in curries, preserves, drinks or fermented into vinegar[]. The fruits have a similar taste and flavour to unripe apple[]. The bulk of the fruit actually consists of the very thick sepals, which have a very sour taste. The smaller, juicy fruits inside are also sour[]. The green fruit is about 10cm in diameter[].

Calyces - raw or cooked[, ]. Fleshy, with an agreeable acid flavour, though the large amount of fibre they contain is objectionable[]. They can be used in curries or made into drinks, jellies and sherbet[, , ].

Medicinal

The fruit is tonic and laxative[]. It is used in the treatment of abdominal disorders[], and is mixed with sugar to be used against coughs[].

The bark and leaves are astringent[]. The bark is used as a mouthwash to treat thrush[].

Other Uses

The fruits can be rubbed in water to make a soap[]. The pulp is used as a hair wash[].
The leaf juice is applied to the scalp to prevent baldness[].

The dried leaves are used to polish ivory[].

The wood ash is added to clay bricks to increase their fire resistance[].

The light brown sapwood is slightly soft[]. It is little used.
The wood, which is moderately hard and has a durability under water of around 3 years, is sometimes used for house-building or gunstocks[].

Propagation

Seed -
Semi-ripe cuttings

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