Common Name: Golden Apple

General Information

Golden apple is a fast-growing and graceful deciduous tree that can reach a height of 25 metres, though 15 metres is a more common height[, ]. The bole can be 45cm in diameter[].
The tree is often cultivated in the tropics, both for its edible fruit and as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

Care should be taken when eating the fruit since the seeds have very sharp spines[].

Botanical References

Range

Probably arose in tropical Asia, but only known in cultivation.

Habitat

Dry or secondary forests from sea-level to 500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant grows best in the subhumid and frost-free tropics, where it is found from sea level up to 700 metres[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 27°c, but can tolerate 12 - 35°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -3°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,800mm, but tolerates 600 - 2,200mm[].
Trees need to be grown in a sunny position, very little fruit is produced when they are in the shade[]. Plants are not too fussy over soil, not needing very fertile conditions. However, very poor soil, or shallow land, is unsuitable[]. It succeeds on limestone derived soils as well as on acid sands, but the soil should be well drained[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8[]. The branches are quite brittle, so a sheltered position is best[]. Established plants are drought tolerant, though they may briefly lose their leaves when under stress[].
Plants can bear fruit in only 4 years from seed, or 2 - 3 years from cuttings[, ].
In areas where there is no prolonged dry season, the plant can flower and fruit all year round, though in pronounced monsoonal areas it will usually flower only in the dry season[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. When green, the fruit is crisp and subacid[]. As the fruit ripens to a yellow colour, the flesh softens; the flavour changes and the fibres become more noticeable[]. The ripe amber-coloured, plum-shaped fruits have a sweet to acid, slightly turpentine flavour[]. They can be made into jams, marmalade etc[]. Unripe fruits are often used as a sour flavouring in sauces, soups etc[]. The unripe fruit contains about 10% pectin[]. The oblong fruit is up to 10cm long x 8cm wide[].

Young leaves - raw or cooked[]. Pleasantly acid[]. Steamed and eaten as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

There are diverse traditional medicinal uses of the fruits, leaves and bark in different parts of the world. The treatment of wounds, sores and burns is reported from several countries[]. Parts of the plant are made into a fermented drink which is used as a remedy for diarrhoea[].

The juice of the plant is used as eye drops to reduce eye inflammations[].
The shoots of the plant are used to treat haemorrhaging after childbirth[].
The pressed liquid obtained from the stem is given after a false pregnancy, and for weakness following childbirth[].
An infusion of the leaves is used to treat sore throats and mouth infections[].

The pressed liquid obtained from the bark is taken to cleanse the bowels[]. The bark filtrate is also employed as an abortifacient, to promote sterility and to treat fish poisoning[]. A few drops of the pressed bark fluid are applied to the eyes as a remedy for cataracts[]. Fluid pressed from the bark is used in treating diarrhoea, whilst the bark is also used to treat dysentery[].
The inner bark is used to treat coughs, fever and stomach aches[]. It is also used to treat mouth and body sores[].

The fruit is mildly diuretic[]. The grated fruit, mixed with water, is used to treat high blood pressure[]. The young fruit is used to treat stomach trouble and to aid a woman in labour[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is said to be grown as a living fence[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is light brown; the sapwood whitish to light yellow. The wood is light in weight; moderately soft; not durable[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates within one month[].
Quite large cuttings[]. It is reported that large stumps are stuck in the ground to obtain live fence posts[].
Air layers root easily[].
Grafting or shield budding on Spondias rootstocks is also possible, however seedling trees are more vigorous than budded or grafted trees[].

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