Red Coondoo, Spanish cherry, Star flower tree
Mimusops elengi

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 10-15 m high. It has a tall trunk. The crown is dense and umbrella shaped. It spreads to 5-15 m across. The bark is rough and hard and dark grey. The bark is cracked along its length or forms a checkered pattern. The leaves are produced alternately and are simple. They are smooth and crowded. They are oval and 5-14 cm long by 2.5-6 cm across. They are glossy and dark green on top and paler underneath. The midrib is easy to see. Leaves have a sharp pointed tip. The flowers are star-shaped and cream and hairy. They have a scent. The flowers are 0.5-1 cm long in clusters in the axils of the upper leaves. The fruit are softly hairy. They become smooth and are oval berries. They are 1.3-1.5 cm long by 1-1.2 cm wide. The outer ring of flowers form a spiky cup at the base of the fruit. The fruit are orange-red when ripe. They contain several orange red seeds. The seeds are wedge shaped.

There are 55 Mimusops species. An oil is produced from the seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the hot tropical lowlands. It is native in Asia from India to the Pacific. Plants need well-drained soils. It grows naturally in coastal monsoon vine forests. It will grow on a range of soils. It is often on sand dunes and cliffs near the beach. In tropical Australia it grows from sea level to 320 m altitude. It is drought resistant. Plants need a sunny position. Plants are damaged by frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Central America, China, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Ghana, Hawaii, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia (country/location of origin), Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Reunion, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

Ripe fruit are eaten raw. They can be used in preserves or pickles. The kernels yield a fatty oil which can be used for edible purposes. It is used in cooking. The bark is used in the distillation of arrack. The nectar from the flowers is used to prepare wine.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed should be sown fresh. They germinate in 6-14 days. They can be transplanted when the first true leaf appears. They can stand pruning.

Plants are slow growing. In Australia, plants flower in November to January and fruit from April to June. A tree may yield 10 kg of fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Alagu, Baagaalu, Bacul, Bakul, Bakula, Bansalagin, Barsoli, Boal, Bokulo baula, Bolsari, Brazilian milktree, Bukul, Bullet wood, Bunga mengkula, Bunga tanjong, Bunga tanjung, Djungun, Elengi, Gokul, Ilanji, Ilanni, Indian medlar, Joongena, Kabiki, Khayay, Kun, Magadam, Magil, Mahilam, Mailsari, Makil, Malshree, Mamajen, Massor, Maulsari, Moghadum, Molsari, Moonimaa, Munamal, Ovalli, Pagade, Phi-khuun, Pi kun, Pigul, Pikul, Pogada, Poghada, Pokok tanjong, Renje hannu, Sen cat, Sen xanh, Tanjong, Tanjung, Thitcho-khaya, Vagulam, Vegalam, Walara, Yawurlama

Synonyms

Mimusops browniana Benth.; Mimusops parvifolia R. Br.; Mimusops elengi var. parvifolia (R. Brown) H.J. Lam;