BACKGROUND, ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION
Dillenia indica, commonly known as elephant apple or chulta, is a species of Dillenia native to southeastern Asia from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka east to SW China and Vietnam and south through Thailand and Indonesia.
USES AND ETHNOBOTANY
The fruit pulp of Dillenia indica is sour and acidic, traditionally used in Indian cuisine, including curries, jam, and jellies. It is often mixed with coconut and spices to make chutneys. It is extensively used in Dal and fish curry in Assam.
In India, it is not commercially cultivated, but is found wild.
The fruit is a main source of food for elephants, monkeys and deer and collection of fruit from the core areas of the forest are prohibited. Commercial sale of the fruit is also prohibited in an effort to help the food-chain system of the forest from dismantling totally. However no law has been implemented so far (source)
PROPAGATION AND CULTIVATION
Dillenia indica can be propagated from seeds or cuttings.