Garuga
Garuga pinnata
Family: Burseraceae
What it is like
A tree which loses its leaves during the year. It grows 20-35 m tall. The trunk can be 60-180 cm across. It can have small buttresses. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are 5-9 pairs of leaflets and an odd one. They are 5-15 cm long by 3-6.5 cm wide. They are oval to sword shaped. There are shallow round teeth along the edge. They are slightly hairy. The flowers are yellow in large loose flower clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit is fleshy with a hard covering around the seed. It is round and black. It is sour and edible.
There are 4 Garuga species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in dense forests. It is a light demanding tree. In Nepal it grows . In India it grows in many parts of the lower hills and plains. In Sikkim it grows between 300-900 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are edible but acid. They are eaten fresh, cooked or pickled. They are used in fish curries.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves
How it is grown
It can be grown from cuttings of large branches. It can also be grown from seed.
It is fast growing. In north India plants flower and fruit March to October.
Its other names
Local names
Annakkara, Armu daru, Armu, Arnelli, Arunelli, Aule dabadabe, Bombok, Bung-bu-tuai-ram, Bungbutuairam, Chinyok, Chokka gota, Dabdabe, Dabdabey, Dieng-khiang, Engla, Garugudu, Gendeli poma, Ghogar, Godda, Halabalagi, Jum, Kaikar, Kakad, Kakaro, Kaked, Kakkad, Kandwer, Karre vembu, Karur, Kattu-kalinjan, Kharpat, Khusimb, Kosramba, Kudak, Kuruk, Mai-kham, Mohi, Mokot, Neura, Nil bhadi, Rohimala, Sarota, Sarupatri, Sinyok, Sompotri, Taesap, Thotmola, Toom, Tram mao, Tum kharpat