Indian butter tree
Diploknema butyracea

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows to about 20 m high. The leaves are 14-30 cm long by 7.5-16 cm wide. They are crowded near the ends of branches. They are oval and taper towards the end. They are hairy underneath. The flowers are crowded at the ends of branches. They are yellow. The fruit is a berry. It is pear shaped with one or two seeds. The fruit shape varies.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 300-1500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The juice of the inner flower parts is boiled into a syrup. This is used as a sugar. The juicy pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten raw. It has a scent and is sweet. It can be used for jam or pickles. The butter extracted from the seeds is used for cooking and lighting. It is used for cocoa butter in chocolate and in margarine. The seeds are also fermented. The seeds are roasted or fried and eaten.

Fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Kernel, fruit, flowers, nuts, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds germinate in about 30 days.

Yields can be 5-155 kg per tree.

Its other names

Local names

Bhalel, Cheuli, Cheuri, Chewra, Chewri, Chiura, Chiuree, Chiuri, Chivree, Chiwree, Chuirii, Churi, Chyuri, Chyuro, Finsheng, Pauktu, Phalwara, Pholwara, Phoolwa-oil plant, Phulvara, Phulwa, Yel, Yelkung, Yelpote, Yika

Synonyms

Aesandra butyracea (Roxb.) Baehni; Aisandra butyracea (Roxb.) Baehni; Bassia butyracea Roxb.; Illipe butyracea (Roxb.) Engler; Madhuca butyracea (Roxb.) Macbride; Mixandra butyracea (Roxb.) Pierre ex Dubard; Vidoricum butyaceum (Roxb.) Kuntze;