Mahua, Illipe, Indian butter tree
Madhuca longifolia

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree which loses its leaves. It grows to about 8-20 m high. The bark is grey-brown with a hint of yellow. The leaves are crowded at the ends of branches. They are 19 cm long. The leaves have stalks. They are oval and taper to the tip. The leaves are wavy at the edges and are densely hairy at first. The flowers have stalks. They are cream and succulent. The fruit is oval and fleshy. It is green and about 5 cm long. There are 1 or 2 seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It suits the hot tropical lowlands with low to medium rainfall. In Nepal it grows to about 200 m altitude. It can grown to 1,700 m above sea level in Indonesia. It grows in open places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten dried, roasted or made into jelly, sugar and wine. They are a sweetener. They are also used to make alcohol. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. Seed oil is used for cooking. It also substitutes for butter. The ripe fruit are eaten. The fleshy corolla is eaten raw or roasted. The leaves are also eaten.

The flowers and fruit are sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, seeds - oil, leaves, nectar

How it is grown

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

Seeds and dried flowers can be stored for several months in a dry container.

Its other names

Local names

Elloopei, Hippe, Illipa, Illupei, Illuppa, Illuppai, Ilpa, Ippa, Irpi, Kanzaw, Kuligam, Lippae, Mahuwa, Mauha, Mee, Meek, Meze, Mi, Moha, Mohua, Mohwa tree, Mowra butter tree, Mousey mi, Myitzu-thaka-natpan, Pohon nyatuh india, Poonam, South India Mahua, Ta-laing-gaung

Synonyms

Bassia longifolia L.; Bassia villosa Wall. ex G. Don; Illipe malabaricum Gras; and others