Mountain pomegranate, Thorny bone-apple, Emetic nut
Catunaregam spinosa

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A large spiny shrub or small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows to about 5 m high. The stems are thorny. The spines in the axils of leaves are 2.5-4 cm long. The bark is dark brown, rough and scaly, It has sharp spines 1-3 cm long. The leaves are opposite. The leaves are 2-10 cm long by 1-3.5 cm wide. They are oval and entire. The flowers are white and turn yellow at maturity. The flowers usually occur singly. They have a scent. They are on short, leafy small branches. The flower has a short hairy corolla tube with round spreading lobes. The fruit is yellow. It is round with slight ribs. The fruit are 2-4 cm long. There are many flattened seeds. The ripe fruit are edible.

There are 5 or 6 Catunaregum species. This may now be Catunaregam taylorii. Unripe fruit are used to poison fish.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows to about 1500 m altitude. It grows in open, dry places. It can grow in arid places. In the Himalayas it grows to 1200 m altitude. It grows in hot lower valleys in Nepal.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Unripe fruit are pickled. The ripe fruit are cooked and eaten. The unripe fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The flowers are cooked as a vegetable. The ripe, roasted seeds are eaten. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, seeds, leaves

How it is grown

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

In India, fruit are available Sept. to Jan.

Its other names

Local names

Amuki, Arara, Balusuku, Banegara, Behmona, Bhadal, Bhedi, Bilomi, Dieng-makasing-khlaw, Gal, Gel, Genua, Ghara, Ghela, Gurol, Kalai-kanta, Kara, Kare, Kirkla, Kokoa, Mad karai, Madana, Maidal, Maidalo, Maindal, Maindul, Mainkanda, Mainphal, Manga, Mangri, Manhar, Marukkallankay, Mindhal, Mon, Moncata, Mon-kata, Panji, Patova, Peralu, Pohonrandia berduri, Rara, Rung-gong-zhu, Sarintsoha, Sazutheipui, Sa-zuk-thei, Sikhwakhwane, Sithole, Tepakjang, Voansakalava lahy, Wagatta

Synonyms

Canthium chinense Pers. Canthium coronatum Lam.; Ceriscus malabaricus Gaertn.; Gardenia dumetorum Retz.; Gardenia dumosa Salisb.; Gardenia spinosa Thunb.; Lachnosiphonium obovatum Hochst.; Posoqueria dumetorum Roxb.; Posoqueria longispina (L. f.) Roxb.; Posqueria nutans Roxb.; Randia brandisii Gamble [Illegitimate]; Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lamarck; Randia krausii Harv.; Randia longispina Wight & Arn.; Randia nutans (Roxb.) DC.; Randia spinosa (Thunb.) Poiret; Randia tomentosa Wight & Arn., non Blume; Randia vestita S. Moore; Xeromphis spinosa (Thunb.) Keay;