Common Name: Balsam Apple

General Information

Balsam apple is a perennial climbing plant producing annual stems that can grow up to 5 metres long from a tuberous perennial rootstock. The stems sometimes sprawl over the ground, but can also support themselves on other plants by means of tendrils[] .
The plant is cultivated on a small scale in almost all tropical areas as a vegetable and medicinal plant[].

Known Hazards

Although reported to be edible, the ripe fruits have also been reported to cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and can be poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

Widespread in the tropics, probably only native in the drier areas from Africa to Australia.

Habitat

Found in sunny and semi-shaded locations in grassland, savannah, woodland, forest margins, coastal dune forests and in river bank vegetation as well as disturbed areas[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics that can be grown in subtropical and warm temperate areas. It is found at elevations from sea level to 1,465 metres, in dry to wet areas with a rainfall of 200 - 1,200 mm annually. The plant seems to be at least somewhat frost hardy[].
Found in the wild in white, yellow, red and grey sandy soils, also in loam, clay, alluvial, gravelly and calcareous soils[]. It requires a soil rich in organic matter if optimum yields are to be achieved[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - cooked. A bitter flavour[]. Harvested when ripe and also when unripe, they are cooked and used as a vegetable[, , ]. The fruit can be pickled or, after prolonged soaking, can be cooked and used in soups etc[]. Harvested when green[]. Although the immature, green fruits are often eaten, the fully ripe fruits have been reported to cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and can be poisonous[]. The ovoid fruit is 7cm long[].

The leaves and immature fruits are used in sauces and soups[]. Cooked and used as a vegetable[, ].

Medicinal

Traditional medicinal use of this plant is widespread and diverse. The more common and widespread uses are as follows:-
The fruits, seeds and leaves are anthelmintic[].
The leaves are used as a treatment against fever and excessive uterine bleeding, and to treat syphilis, rheumatism, hepatitis and skin disorders[]

The plant is emetic, purgative and vermifuge[]. The part is not specified[].

The fruits are used in Syria for healing wounds[].

Other Uses

The fruits are used as a soap substitute[].

The leaf sap is said to be an effective metal cleaner[]. The leaves are used to clean metal objects and to wash the hands and body[]. They form a slightly soapy solution in water[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ.

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