Elephant apple

Where does Elephant apple grow?

Found in: Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Pohnpei, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, United States, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

Notes: There are about 60 Dillenia species.

Status: Trees are only occasionally seen in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and they are rarely used for food. The fruit are sold in markets in India. It is a cultivated food plant.

Growing Elephant apple

Cultivation: Plants are normally grown from seed. They can be grown from cuttings and by air layering.

Edible Uses: The fruit can be used for jellies, curries and drinks. It is the fleshy sepals around the fruit that are eaten. They can be pickled. The fruit can be eaten raw. More commonly they are used in curries, especially prawn curries. They can be cooked with lentils. They can be made into jam. They are used for chutney. The sweetened fruit juice makes a cooling drink. The fleshy calyx can be stored for 20 days. The young leaves are eaten.

Production: In NE India fruit are available September to December.

Nutrition Info

Elephant apple Photos

References

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