Corky debdar
Polyalthia suberosa

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A tree or shrub. It grows 2-4 m high. The bark is thick and corky and deeply ridged. The leaves are oval or oblong and rounded at the tip. The edges are wavy. The leaves are 2-12 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. The flowers are pale yellow. They occur singly among the leaves. The fruit are in clusters. The fruit is reddish-purple. It is 6 mm across. They contain 1 or 2 seeds. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open forest at lower elevations. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten as a fresh vegetable. The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In India fruit are produced April to November.

Its other names

Local names

Bandor kola, Bara chali, Burhi chamri, Cham-khirni, Chilaka duduga, Habida cha, Ilang-ilang gubat tree, Karadia, Kodinaaval, Kukuriam, Lohania mossu, Makhamsra-phang, Murmuri, Pohon banitan puti, Pohon lanutan puti, Sandiome

Synonyms

Guatteria suberosa (Roxb.) Dunal; Uvaria suberosa Roxb.;