Lapsi, Nepalese hogplum
Choerospondias axillaris

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A tree that loses its leaves. It is 15-30 m high and has a trunk 40-50 cm across. The young branches are stout. They are 5 mm across. The small branches are purple brown in colour. The leaves are alternate. They are compound made up of pairs of leaflets with one leaflet at the end. The leaves are 25-40 cm long. The leaflets are in 5-13 pairs and 10 cm long by 3-3.5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 2 cm long. The male and female flowers occur on separate trees. The male flowers are in loose irregular arrangements either at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves. They are 15-20 cm long. The female flowers occur singly or in 2's or 3's in the axils of leaves. The flowers are reddish-purple. The fruit is fleshy and has 5 stones inside. The fruit is 3 cm across and is yellow.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in Northern Vietnam and below 600 m altitude. It is mostly on deep, wet red soils. It grows between 600-2000 m altitude in southern Yunnan. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw and used for wine production. The fruit are used for candy, jam and pickles. It is the half ripe fruit that are used for pickles. The fruit pulp is dried to make marmalade or jams. The young leaves are eaten raw.

It is sold in markets. The fruit are exported. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. They can also be grown by cuttings and budding.

In Thailand plants flower in December to February and fruit March to May.

Its other names

Local names

Amali, Biu la yang, Del-cline, Hamoi-tenga, Ju-ru-ra, Kalah, Khamoli-sali, Labshi, Lapsee, Lapsi, Lat xoan, Lobsi, Maimeo, Makok nang, Mamue, Manang, Mang men, Mu, Nan-suan-zao, Njing-chi, Nying sho sha, Pako chi, Phindruwa, Pindumsi, Pintupsi, Pohon lapsi, Saa-lee-puu, Seesiat thet, Silot-kung, Siolt-kung, Sning-zho-sha, Southern sour jujube, Thaisudi-khasiba, Wu yan liu tong, Xoan nhur, Xuyen coc

Synonyms

Poupartia axillaris (Roxb.) King & Prain; Poupartia fordii Hemsl.; Spondias axillaris Roxb.; Spondias acuminata Gamble, non Roxb.;