Mootapalam
Baccaurea courtallensis

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. The leaves are narrowly oval and taper to a short point. Plants are separately male and female. The flowers are hairy. The fruit are bright red. They are 2.5 cm across. They are produced along the trunk.

There are about 80 Baccaurea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs between 300-900 m above sea level. It is in areas with a temperature between 16°-30°C and a rainfall of 150-200 cm. It grows in tropical wet evergreen forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Northeastern India

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. It is the fleshy layer around the seeds (aril) that is eaten. They are acid. They are used as an alternative to tamarind. They are also used for pickles.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In southern India plants flower and fruit January to June.

Its other names

Local names

Kalikuki, Moottilpuli, Muttathuri, Muttilpazham, Muttithuri, Ponvetti, Vetti

Synonyms

Baccaurea macrostachya (Wight & Arn.) Hook.f.; Pierardia courtallensis Wight; Pierardia macrostachys White & Arn.;