Elaeocarpus floribundus
Blume
Indian olive
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Description
A tree. It can grow 10-30 m high. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves are oval and often rounded at the base. The leaves turn red before falling. The flowers are small and white. They are about 8 mm across. The fruit is fleshy and light green. It is about 2-5 cm long. Both ends of the fruit are pointed.
Edible Uses
The leaves are used as a vegetable. The fruit is eaten as a masticatory, both raw and cooked, with unripe fruit also used for pickles and chutney. The seeds are also edible and yield oil.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are used as a vegetable. The fruit is eaten as a masticatory. They are eaten raw as well as cooked. The unripe fruit are also used for pickles and chutney.
Medicinal Uses
An infusion of the bark and leaves is drunk as a tonic. An infusion of the bark and leaves is used as a mouthwash for inflamed gums. The bark and leaves are used in a poultice to treat ulcers. The fruits have medicinal value.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Asia. It grows up to 900-1,650 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Andaman Islands, Asia, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam,
Cultivation
Usually found on well-drained, sandy to clay soils in the wild. We have no further specific information for this species, but members of this genus generally grow well in full sun to moderate shade, requiring a fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
Propagation
The seed of most species in this genus is covered by a hard, woody shell and can be very slow and erratic to germinate, sometimes taking 2 years or more. Filing down the shell, or cracking it (being very careful not to damage the seed) in order to allow the ingress of moisture can help to greatly speed up germination. Sow the seed in containers in light shade. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out, Cuttings of almost ripe shoots, in a sandy soil in a frame. The leaves should be left on the stem.. Many species strike readily from cuttings.
Other Uses
The heartwood is light-yellowish white to pink-brown and mauve, it is not distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is moderately fine and even, with straight to shallowly interlocked grain. The wood is soft to moderately hard; light in weight to moderately heavy; weak; not very durable. It seasons fairly slowly with slight end and surface checking; shrinkage is fairly low. It is easy to resaw and cross-cut; planing is easy and leaves a moderately smooth finish; nailing properties are good. A general purpose wood, it is suitable for purposes such as general planking, shuttering, boxes, crates, wooden pallets, match splints, veneer and plywood.
Production
In India the fruit are available October to March. In NE India May to December. A tree can yield 30-40 kg of fruit in a year.
Other Information
Fruit are sold in markets. It is a cultivated plant.
Notes
There are about 360 Elaeocarpus species mostly in the tropics.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Banghkri, Belphoi, Chorphon, Chuziechukru, Com hoa-nhieu, Empedu, Empeduk, Emperdok, Goroshi, Hahauwan, Irat, Japfai, Jalpai, Jalphai, Jalpui, Jolphai schein, Jolpi, Julpai, Kemesu, Kieshi, Kingkurad, Maboh, Mai-ma-mon-pan, Medang teja, Medang telur, Perdu, Renkinang, Rugged oil fruit, Sein-sar-blue-pan, Shikesi, Shikishi, Sungamerem, Tempawat, Theng koreng, Thitpwe, Thitya-hmwe, Zonmot
References (37)
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