overstory

Dillenia indica - Elephant apple, hondapara

BACKGROUND, ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

Dillinia indica Elephant apple fruit.jpg

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.

Dillenia indica, Elephant apple leaf.jpg

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.