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.

Muntingia calabura (Jamaica Cherry, Panama cherry, Singapore cherry)

Muntingia calabura, commonly known as Singapore cherry, Jamaica Cherry, Panama cherry is a small, evergreen tree. Its leaves are slightly hairy and are a bit sticky to touch. The tree is drought resistant and can thrive in poor soil also. In fact it can become invasive due to its habit of sending root suckers and also due to seed dispersal by birds and bats through their droppings. I have observed that Flower pecker birds puncture the fruit near its stalk and suck the juice.

Hairy leaves with unequal base near leaf stalk

The fruit is a tiny berry with hundreds of minute seeds. The seeds are so tiny that one cannot feel their presence while eating the fruit. The fruit contains juicy pulp which is sweet and with delectable falvour. The skin of the fruit is a bit leathery but is edible. The tree bears flowers and fruit almost all year round. The ripe fruit can be eaten whole and also can be used to make jam and jelly. Flowers and the leaves are supposed to have some medicinal uses. The tree is native to South America but has now been naturalized in many other countries, including India. The tree belongs to Muntingiaceae family.

Dillenia pentagyna (करमल, पिवळा करमळ, बन चलता)

Dillenia pentagyna is a medium size tree with very large but beautiful leaves. The tee is deciduous. Flowering season is March to May. Yellow flowers are scented. Ripe fruits are size of Rai awala (Phyllanthus acidus) and are sweet-sour in taste. Fruits contain a single seed. Seed dispersal is by animals, which eat the whole fruit. The undigested seeds are dispersed through these animals' droppings. This tree is native to India. It belongs to Dilleniaceae family. It is reported that parts of the tree are used for medicinal uses in Ayurved.

Upper left is Phyllanthus acidus

Dillenia pentagyna