Kepel apple
Stelechocarpus burahol

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A shrubby evergreen tree. It grows 20 m tall. The leaves are simple and bright green. They are narrowly oval and 30 cm long. They are glossy and have deep veins. The male and female flowers are separate on the same tree. The flowers are pale yellow. The female flowers are slim on long stalks and are trumpet shaped. The male flowers are on the branches and female flowers are on the lower trunk. Fruit are borne on the lower trunk. The fruit has a violet like smell which also continues in the body once the fruit is eaten. The fruit are about 6-7 cm across. They are brown when mature. The pulp is sweet and edible. The seeds are large and brown. There are 4-6 seeds.

There are 5 Stelechocarpus species. A rare and endangered species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is native to SE Asia. It is an understorey tree in the lowland evergreen forest and rainforest. It is cultivated in central Java. It grows up to 600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Hawaii, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Suriname, USA

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. Fruit have a spicy mango-like flavour.

Fruit are enjoyed. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds and from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bungkul, Burahol, Kecindul, Kepel, Keppel

Synonyms

Uvaria burahol Blume;