Dillenia indica (第倫桃) is a large evergreen tropical tree that belongs to the Dilleniaceae family. With splendid white fragrant flowers, this unique tree is native to tropical Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Dillenia indica is commonly called the elephant apple due to the fact that it is a very popular fruit among wild elephants, and that elephants are important seed dispensers for this intriguing tree in its native range.
Please watch the following video to see more beautiful images of the amazing elephant apple tree, its elegant flower, and large fruit.
Propagated by seeds and cuttings, elephant apple trees can grow to 15-25 m (50-82 ft) tall and can add elegance and beauty in all seasons. Nowadays, elephant apple trees can be seen in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, China, Brazil, Hawaii, etc. As elephant apples are the main source of food for elephants, monkeys, and other wild animals, it is prohibited to collect fruits from the core areas of the forests in some countries.
Flower
With a diameter of 15-20 cm (5.9-7.9 in), elephant apple flowers are not only beautiful but also elegant and fragrant. They have five oblong and ruffled petals, with numerous yellow stamens. The ivory pendant flowers blossom intermittently across the summer on branch tips but are short-lived.
Leaves
The elephant apple has beautiful papery leaves, which are usually 15-45 cm (6-18 in) long. The green serrated leaves are characterized by prominent corrugated surfaces with defined veins as well as glossy undersides with parallel pleats.
Although the elephant apple is an evergreen tree, it does shed its leaves once a year in the summer. However, it goes practically unnoticed most of the time because it grows new leaves while shedding the old ones.
As elephant apple’s leaves are astringent, dried leaves can be used as a substitute for sandpaper in polishing ivory and horn.
Fruit
If the flowers are pollinated, they will turn into grapefruit-sized fruits enclosed in a hard husk. The knobby globose fruits are yellow-green and ripen with a leathery brown covering. With small brown-black seeds, the fruit can be consumed both in ripe and unripe stag, but their juicy pulp has an acid taste.
The ripe fruits are mostly used as a flavoring in curries and can also be made into jams and jellies, while the unripe ones are pickled. In Indonesia, the fruit is mixed with honey and eaten for breakfast. In Thailand, people eat the leaves in salads, while in India the pulp is used in savory chutneys.
Health benefits
According to The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts, the nutritional value per 100g of edible elephant apple flesh is Calories 59k, Protein 0.8 percent, Fat 0.2-2.5 percent, Fiber 2.1-2.5 percent, Ash 3.54 percent, Calcium 16mg, Phosphorous 26mg, Ascorbic Acid 4mg.
The carbohydrates, proteins, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C contained in the fruit of the elephant apple can rejuvenate aging skin, and maximize human health. In particular, the fruit is rich in beta-carotene, thiamine, and riboflavin, which are important ingredients in medicines for the heart and liver.
The fruit is also loaded with tonic and laxative properties, which can relieve abdominal pains. Furthermore, the fruit’s gummy substance is believed to have the effect of treating dandruff and hair shedding.
Its leaf extract is useful for diabetes mellitus management and other abnormalities associated with metabolic disorders. Also, the bark and stem can also have the effect of reducing heart palpitations and hypotension.
Therefore, elephant apple is undoubtedly a good remedy for bolstering physical and mental fitness, and for preventing ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, and anxiety.
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