Wood apple
Citrus lucida

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 6-15 m tall. It may or may not have thorns. These thorns can be 8 cm long on the branches. The leaves are alternate and 8 cm long. They are compound with a single leaflet at the end. There are 3-4 pairs of leaflets. These are oval and finely irregular along the edge. They have a rough surface and are shiny on the upper surface. They are covered with cottony hairs underneath. The leaflets are 1.5-3.5 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is hairy. The flowers can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. Flowers have 5 petals. The fruit is rounded with a hard outer cover. It is green with white flesh. There are many seeds inside.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dense forests and secondary undergrowth. It is also cultivated.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten and give an acid flavour. The fruit is soaked in water for a few minutes before using if it has been dried. The flowers are also used as a vegetable. The raw young shoots and leaves are eaten with sour bamboo shoot salad.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kawista-krikil, Krasang, Krasang si Phle, Ma sang, Som kaek

Synonyms

Feronia lucida Scheff. Feroniella lucida (Scheff.) Swingle; Feroniella oblata Swingle;