Description

Indian plum is a plant native to Africa. It is found in some parts of Asia and is also known as ramontchi, governor's plum and batoko plum . It grows into twigs. Small tree, up to 10 m tall. The berries can be eaten raw and cooked. Jam and jelly can be made and stored dry. Can be used as fodder. Wood is good wood. Alcohol can be made from fruit. Can be used as a variety of medicines. It contains 15 species of shrubs and small trees that are native to the African and Asian tropics and subtropics. Several species, especially F.indica, are cultivated as ornamentals and for their fruits. The trunks of small trees are often guarded by branching spines. It is a very adaptable plant, it grows in the drier to moist tropics from sea level to an elevation of 2,400 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 40°c, but can tolerate 10 - 48°. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower, but young growth will be severely damaged at -1°c. Female trees will often fruit in the absence of a male plant, for better crops both male and female plants should be grown. It coppices very well.

Characteristics:

Fruit - raw or cooked. Resembling a small plum in shape, the deep red to purple fruit has a soft, juicy pulp that can range in flavour from acidic to sweet. At its best, the fruit is sweet and agreeable, and can be eaten out of hand Otherwise, it is used in making jams, preserves, jellies etc. The fruit is often astringent, especially if not fully ripe.

Medicinal Uses:

The leaves and roots of Indian Plum are used in herbal medicine for treatment of snakebite. The bark is believed to be effective for arthritis. Most parts of the plant are used for cough, pneumonia, and bacterial throat infection. It has also been used for diarrhea.