Native: India

Common Names

English –  Indian Plum

Malayalam –  വയ്യങ്കത

Description: Shrub or small tree. Branches often with spines, sometimes not very conspicuous but in some specimens even with large, branches spines on the trunk. Leaves elliptic, ovate or almost circular; margin entire, scalloped or toothed. Flowers inconspicuous, greenish-yellow in short axillary or terminal sprays, sexes separate on different trees. Fruit fleshy, near-spherical, purple when ripe.

Distribution:  All throughout the world.

Uses: The fruit is tasty and can be a good addition to an orchard. The leaves, roots, and bark of the plant are used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of conditions.