Malay Apple is native to Malaysia, but has been introduced in many tropical
countries, including India. It is a medium sized tree, growing up to 60 ft
tall. The evergreen leaves are opposite, soft leathery and dark green: the
flowers are purplish - red and form a carpet after falling under the tree.
The fruit is oblong to pear shaped with a dark red skin and white flesh;
sometimes it is seedless. The fruit is oblong-shaped and dark red in color,
although some varieties have white or pink skin. The flesh is white and
surrounds a large seed. The flesh makes a jam prepared by stewing with
brown sugar and ginger. The trunk of the Mountain Apple tree was used by
the people of old Hawai'i to build beams for their hale, house and for
fashioning bowls and poi-boards. A reddish brown dye for making patterns on
tapa bark cloth, was processed from the bark and the root.
Medicinal uses: A decoction of the bark is used against vaginal
infection, while the root is used to treat itching. The root is also
effective against dysentery and as a diuretic. In Brazil, the plant is also
used as a remedy for diabetes and constipation.
Identification credit: Tabish
Photographed in Jeejamata Udyan, Mumbai.
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The flower labeled Malay Apple is ...