Prinsepia utilis
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A shrub which loses its leaves during the year. It grows to about 2 m high. The branches have sharp spines. These can be 5 cm long. The leaves have stalks. They are alternate. The leaves are 6-7 cm long by 0.5-3 cm wide. The are sword shaped and taper to the tip. They have slight teeth. The flowers have stalks. They are white and in short groups in the axils of leaves. The fruit is fleshy with a hard covering over the seed. The fruit is oblong and purple when ripe.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 1300-2900 m altitude. It grows in sunny, open places. In India it is in Garhwal Himalayas. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Sikkim, Tibet
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten. The seed oil is used for cooking. It is edible.
The fruit are eaten especially by children.
Edible parts
Seeds - oil, drink, fruit, flowers
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed or branch cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Arund, Bekar, Bekkli, Bekkra, Bhainkal, Bhek, Bhekal, Bhekoi, Bhekor, Biklain, Cherara, Dhatelo, Dhatila, Dieng-sia-soh-khar, Garandu, Gotyalo, Gurinda, Jhatela, Karanga, Kharngura, Krungora, Mhat, Phekray, Phekrey, Phulwara, Qingciguo, Sohmonrit, Tatua, Tischa