Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)

This tiny fruit is not only edible & tasty but it has a miracle property. Miracle fruit-bearing plant is a large shrub, growing to about 5 meters in height. Though it is a large shrub, it can be planted in large pots. The plant needs bright sunlight. Tiny flowers are white and red berries are about 2cm long. Fruting takes place normally in monsoon and in winter. It is native to Tropical region of West Africa.

This miracle fruit is quite tasty. Each fruit has a single seed of which size is of about Custard apple seed. Now why this fruit is called as Miracle fruit is that, when eaten, the taste buds sensing sour taste get numb; thus any sour fruit like lemon, amla or imli eaten after eating this fruit very sweet. This miraculous effect can last for about 10 minutes. Saplings of this shrub are available in local nurseries also. The plant is easily propagated with seed. Plants grown from seeds may take about 3 to 4 years for fruiting.

Synsepalum dulcificum is scientific name of this plant and it belongs to Sapotaceae family, to which chikoo (Sapota) also belongs.

Star Apple tree (Chrysophyllum cainito)

Star Apple tree, commonly known as 'Chrysophyllum cainito' is a very beautiful, evergreen and medium size tree. Though it is not native to India, it has been naturalized in India. The tree is also known as Cainito, Caimito, Golden leaf tree, Milk fruit and Estrella. In Fort area of Mumbai, many beautiful specimens existed at one time; but due to road widening some have disappeared and some are trimmed badly.

Sapling in a park

Golden underside of leaves

The tree grows to about 15 meters high with very dense foliage. Slightly leathery leaves are dark green and glossy with the underside having brownish-golden colour. The trunk is rough. It is comparatively slow growing tree. This tree bears flowers and fruit between January to April. Flowers are mildly scented. The ripe fruit is edible and supposed to be very tasty. The rind is tough and is not edible. The rind has also milky sap which should not be ingested. The fruit when cut shows star-like formation, hence it is called as Star apple. The fruit and some parts of the tree are supposed to have medicinal properties.

Cainito tree in Fort area of Mumbai

Trunk of the tree

Flowers

Fruit

This tree belongs to Sapotaceae family, to which Chiku or Sapota also belongs.