Edible Plants of the World

Wood apple

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in monsoonal or seasonally dry climates in the tropics. It is common on the drier Deccan in India. It grows up to 1500 m altitude. It needs a fertile, well-drained soil. It needs full sun. It grows in drier regions. It can tolerate some salinity. It grows up to 450 m altitude in the western Himalayas. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Also known as:

Bela, Belingei, Belinggai, Bilin, Bilva, Can thang, Dimbul, Diwul, Divul, Elephant's apple, Gelinggai, Indian wood apple, Jool, Kabut, Kaint, Kait, Kaith, Kaitha, Kapittha, Katbel, Kath bel, Kavath, Kavatha, Kavit, Kavith, Kavitha, Kawat, Kawath, Kawista, Kawoth, Kayeth bael, Keiri, Kodbel, Koethbel, Kotha, Kothi, Kothun, Kovit, Kramsang, Kusta, Kutbel, Kvoet, Kwet, Mak-pyen-sum, Ma sang, Mafit, Makhwit, Pohon buah kinco, Thi, Thibin, Vakandra, Velaga, Velaga pandu, Velambalam, Vila, Vilanga, Vilatti, Villa, Villati

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Wood apple grow?

Found in: Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Central America, China, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States, Vietnam

Notes: There is only one Limonia species. There is confusion over Limonia acidissima and Feronia limonia.

Status: Fruit are available in markets in small quantities. The cream is canned and exported from Sri Lanka. It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Growing Wood apple

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. It can also be grown from root-cuttings and by budding. Seeds germinate after 2-3 weeks.

Edible Uses: The ripe fruit pulp is eaten raw and used for jam. The fruit can be eaten raw but is more often used to make drinks, jellies or chutneys. The fruit is best mixed with sugar. The young leaves can be eaten raw.

Production: Trees grow slowly. They can take 15 years until fruit are produced. Budded plants are shorter and bear more quickly. They can produce in 4 years. A well grown tree can produce 225-250 fruits in one year.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Fruit 64 3.1 0.7 - 13 0.4 80.9
Fruit - drier 134 7.1 0.6 - 3 - 64.2

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