Indian red Pear
Protium serratum

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It can lose its leaves during the year. It grows to 20-30 m tall. The trunk can be 30-40 cm across. The crown of the tree in large and round. The leaves are feather like and compound. There are 5-9 leaflets that are pointy at the tip. The bases are unequal. There can be teeth along the edge. The leaves turn red before falling off. The flowers are small and green. They are in short branching clusters. There are 4-5 petals. The fruit are on thick stalks. The fruit are almost round and 2-3 cm across. They are red or bright pink when ripe. The fruit are sour-sweet and edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It mostly grows between 200 to 1000 m altitude in North Vietnam. It is usually along river banks. It is more common on deep sandy or loamy soil. It grows in moist forests. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are sour or acidic but eaten raw and also used for pickles.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In India fruit are available March to June.

Its other names

Local names

Bil, Chitreka, Chitrica, Dieng-soh-mir, Elna, Gutgotya, Gutgutya, Hajna, Kadi, Kandeor daru, Madi, Maidi, Mai-ti, Mak phaen, Mak fen, Mirtenga, Mirtenga, Nimburu, Niyar, Numburamoi, Rajamahi, Sorupotri moi, Thadi, Thaichramm, Thikring, Thrychrm, Yit-padi

Synonyms

Bursera serrata Wall. ex Colebr.;