Common Name: Keppel Apple

General Information

Keppel apple is an erect, evergreen tree growing up to 25 metres tall with a bole up to 40 cm in diameter[].
A beautiful ornamental tree with its new leaves changing from light pink into a burgundy red colour before turning a brilliant green[]. It is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit in Java[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Malaysia.

Habitat

Grows in deep, moist clay soils in secondary forest in Java[]. Plants are often found growing amongst bamboo clumps where other trees would be unable to compete[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees, Ants, Butterflies
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are found in lowland moist tropics at elevations up to 600 metres[].
Prefers a fertile, moist, acid soil and a position in full sun or light shade[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. Juicy, sweet and fragrant[]. The flavour is said to resemble coconut by some people, whilst others say it is like papaya[]. The round fruits are borne on the trunks of the tree[]. It is claimed that, after eating these aromatic fruits, one's whole body is permeated with the smell of roses[]. Another report says that all bodily excretions, including sweat and urine, smell strongly of violets[]. The fruit is 5 - 6cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The fruit pulp is a diuretic and is used to prevent and treat kidney inflammation[]. It is said to cause temporary sterility in women[].
It is said that the orange, juicy pulp of the fruit gives the fragrance of violets to body excretions (urine, transpiration, breath). Hence it served aristocratic ladies as a perfume and a family-planning agent[]. In Java its use was traditionally restricted to the consorts of the sultan of Jogja[].

Other Uses

The wood is suitable for household articles; the straight trunk, after immersion in water for several months, is used in house building and is said to last for more than 50 years.

Propagation

Seed - usually taken from mature fruits and sown immediately. The seed is cleaned by washing and is dried under shade. Before sowing the seed is scarified, but germination may still take many months[]. Eventually a high percentage of the seeds does germinate[]. Initially seedlings are slow-growing[].
Softwood cuttings.

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