Indian crab apple, Assam apple
Docynia indica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 5-12 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are 3.5-10 cm long. They are oblong to sword shaped and taper to the tip. They have teeth along the edge. They have woolly hairs underneath. Flowers are white and 2.5 cm wide. The fruit is round or spindle shaped.

The tree is used as a rootstock for apples.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1000-2000 m altitude. In India it grows between 900-1,800 m altitude. It grows in open places. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw, cooked or salted. The fruit are also made into pickles. The fruit can be made into a soft gel. The fruit are used for jam.

Fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or cuttings.

Yields can be 6-58 kg per tree. In NE India plants flower and fruit February to September.

Its other names

Local names

Chipfoshi, Chiphoshi, Dieng-soh-po, Ekere, False quince, Heitup, Kipho, Likung, Losu, Maao, Mael, Mago, Magon, Mail, Malanthi, Mehel, Mehul, Passy, Phoshi, Pin-sein, Qile, Soh-phoh, Soh-phoh-heh, Sohptet, Sopho, Sun-hlu-phi, Tao meo, Theipan, Theithup

Synonyms

Cydonia indica (Wall.) Spach; Docynia docynioides (C.K.Schneider) Rehder; Docynia griffithiana Decnaise; Docynia hookeriana Decnaise; Docynia rufilolia (Leveille) Rehder; Malus docynioides C. K. Schneid.; Pyrus indica Wallich; Pyrus rufifolia H. Lev.; Check Eriolobus indica Schn.;