Coffee plum
Flacourtia jangomas

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A small deciduous tree up to 10 m tall. It spreads to 3 m across. The stem is erect and branching. Young tree parts can have large branched spines. The leaves are 5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. Young leaves are red and glossy. There are several flushes of new growth during the year. Old trees often do not have thorns on the trunk or branches. Flowers are small and in clusters in the axils of leaves. They have a strong sweet smell. The fruit is a dull brownish red with a greenish yellow pulp. Fruit are about 2 cm across.

There are about 17 Flacourtia species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits the hot humid tropical lowlands. In regions near the equator they are grown as a fruit tree up to about 600 m. They would probably grow up to about 1500 m altitude in the equatorial tropics. It also occurs wild. It can grow on almost any well drained soil. It does best in rich, moist soil. It needs a protected site and a partly shaded position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Guyana, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. Because they are sour, they are often used for jams or preserves. The young red leaves are edible. They contain tannin. They are also used for tea. Young roots are edible.

Trees have been planted in a few coastal areas in Papua New Guinea. Fruit are sold in markets in some countries. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, roots

How it is grown

Trees are mostly grown from seed but better kinds should be propagated by grafting. They can be grown by cuttings. It produces root suckers and these can be used for planting. Seedlings are transplanted. A spacing of 14-16 m apart is needed.

Fruiting is seasonal. Fruit probably occur from May to October. Rubbing the fruit to bruise them improves eating quality. Fruit mature in 90 days. A tree can produce 50-60 kg of fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Baincha, Bainchakoli, Bo quan, Darichik, Finel, Goraji, Greater krekup, Heitroi, Hongquan, Indian plum, Jaggam, Jamuna, Kanji, Kareli, Kelukub, Kerekup, Kerkuh, Kerkup, Kerkup bakoh, Kerkup besar, Krakhob khmer, Kuragayi, Kyetyo-po, Lookloki, Lukluki, Mak-kyen, Malagache, Mu cuon, Mung quan rung, Mung quan, Muonquan, Naywe, Paiala, Painna gola, Paneli, Panial, Paniala, Peyala, Ponel, Ponial, Poniyol, Prunier malgache, Puneala plum, Rata-uguressa, Rukem, Runeala plum, Runealma, Sakhithei, Saralu, Sohmynloh, Sumbrung, Ta khopkhwai, Takop tai, Talisam, Talisapatramu, Talisha, Talispatra, Tambat, Tekroi, Thaislagondi, Thaislagunjul, Thengpe kondu, Umbuvah, Vayangarai, Vayankatha, Vhankali

Synonyms

Flacourtia cataphracta Roxb ex Willd.; Stigmarota jangomas Lour.;