Flacourtia inermis
Roxb.
Lovi-lovi, Thornless rukam
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Summary
Source: WikipediaFlacourtia inermis, known commonly as lovi-lovi, or batoko plum, is a species of flowering plant native to the Philippines and Indonesia, but which has naturalized around the edges of tropical Asia and Africa. Common names in Indonesia include tome-tome (Ternate, North Maluku), tomi-tomi (Ambon, Maluku), lovi-lovi, and lobi-lobi.
Description
It is a small tree. It grows up to 5-15 m high. It is without spines on the trunk. The trunk is often crooked. Leaves are 10-20 cm long and 5-9 cm wide. New leaves are deep red. Flowers have both sexes. The fruit is round, green when young and dark red when ripe. It is about 2-3 cm across. It has 5 seeds inside.
Edible Uses
The fruits are edible raw or cooked but usually not eaten fresh, instead being used in jams, preserves, and syrups.
Traditional Uses
Many kinds have sour fruit so they are often cooked or used for jam, jellies, syrups and preserves. The seeds are removed.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A tropical plant. It suits the hot humid tropical lowlands. Trees occur in New Britain in Papua New Guinea and some other coastal areas. They grow from sea level up to about 1300 m. They can grown on a variety of soils.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Bougainville, China, Cuba, East Africa, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Martinique, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, West Indies,
Cultivation
Trees are mostly grown from seed. It is better to grow them by air layering or budding. Seedlings take up to 18 months to be ready to plant out. A spacing of 12-16 m apart is needed. Seeds are small.
Propagation
Seed - Air-layering. Budding
Production
Trees last for about 20 years. Fruit is mostly ready about May to July in the Southern hemisphere. Fruit matures in 60 days. A well maintained tree can yield 250 kg of fruit.
Other Information
Trees occur occasionally in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea.
Notes
There are about 17 Flacourtia species. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.
Also Known As
Koorkup, Loai, Lobeh-lobeh, Lobi-lobi, Looy-looy, Lubi-lubi, Martinique plum, Rukam masam, Saradan kayu, Tomi-tomi
References (39)
- Lovi lovi references Flacourtia inermis
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