Custard apple, Indian Mast Tree, False ashoka
Polyalthia longifolia

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

This tree grows up to 14 to 28 m tall. It is an evergreen tree keeping its leaves throughout the year. The bark can become gnarled and distorted. The trunk is straight. The leaves are long and narrow with a wavy margin. They are 22 cm long. They are dark green and shiny. New leaf growth is yellow. It has small flowers 2 cm across. The flowers are greenish yellow and have an appearance like a star. They occur in bunches. The small plum like fruit which develop change from green to black when ripe. They contain a ringed seed. The fruit are 2 cm across. There is a variety where the branches hang down (var. pendula)

The wood is used. There is some confusion over the species with 2 different authorities.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. It grows in India on the Deccan. It grows in lowland rainforest. It can grow in dry forest. It needs a fertile, well drained soil. It needs full sun. It is cultivated between 300-400 m altitude in southern China. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Yunnan. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Central America, China, Cuba, Hawaii, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin), Taiwan, USA, Vietnam. West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten in times of scarcity.

A famine food.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed which germinate in 2 to 6 weeks. The seedling trees grow quickly but older trees grow more slowly. It can also be grown from cuttings.

It is slow growing. The fruit ripen quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Arana, Ashoka, Ashupal, Asoka, Asoothi, Asopalav, Assothi, Asupal, Cemetery tree, Chorana, Debdari, Debdaru, Devdaru, Dhebudhaaru, Hessare, Indian willow, Kambadamara, Nara maamidi, Netti-lingam, Ubbina, Unboi

Synonyms

Guatteria longifolia (Sonnerat) Wallich; Unona longifolia Dunal.; Uvaria longifolia Sonnerat;