Lesser-flowered dillenia, Nepal elephant apple
Dillenia pentagyna

Family: Dilleniaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-17 m tall. The twigs are twisted. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are large and 35-53 cm long by 12-30 cm wide. They fall off during the year. The leaves narrow to the base and have teeth along the edge. The flowers appear before the leaves. The flowers are yellow. The fruit are round. The fruit is succulent.

There are about 60 Dillenia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows up to 1200 m altitude. It grows in open places in the foothills. It grows in drier areas. In southern China it grows in rainforests below 400 m above sea level. In Sikkim it grows between 150-1,500 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are edible but not greatly appreciated. They are eaten with salt and chili. They are used for jam. They can be pickled. The flower buds and young fruit are eaten raw or pickled. They can be stored for 20 days. The flowers are fried.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown by cuttings.

In India fruit are produced March to May.

Its other names

Local names

Agachi, Agaie, Aggai, Aggai kallai, Akshi, Banchalta, Chalta, Cherimpi, Chinnakalinga, Chirimpi, Chota-karmal, Dieng-soh-bar, Dog teak tree, Graw-grawp, Hargaza, Kadu-kanigala, Kallai, Kalot, Kanigala, Karaola, Karkotta, Karmal, Kaulong, Khwaw, Kodapunna, Kurkut, Larong, Lve, Mai-mak-san, Mai-masan, Mekur kendi, Mingmechet, Naytekku, Niupang, Okshi, Panchphal, Pohon janti, Pohon sempur karmal, Punna, Rai, Ran-kel, Ravundana, Reavadi, Rovey, Sahad, Sahn-chang, Shukni-kung, Tanatri, Tantari, Tatar, Tatri, Tentri, Thing-se-lei, Zin byun

Synonyms

Dillenia bailloni Pierre; Dillenia floribunda Hook.f.&Thomson;