MIMUSOPS elengi

Shiny smooth and oval leaves 10cm long and 5cm wide. Yellowish, white and fragrant flowers 3 cm across. The edible fruit is softly hairy becoming smooth, ovoid, and bright red-orange when ripe.

Please Note: Although many of the traditional Bush Food and Medicine plants are now commercially produced in various forms we recommend you research these before using them as any form of food or medicine. Some parts of the plant may not be edible or some may need preparation before they are safe to eat or use in any way. We do our best to describe their traditional & modern uses. It is the purchaser's responsibility to ensure they are fit for their intended use.

Occurs throughout Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. On the Western Coast of India and in the Andaman area it is commonly grown in the herbal garden.

Prefers well-composted well-drained moist soil in a warm protected position, drought and frost tender.

Grow notes:

These seeds have a hard casing, to assist germination it is best to break through that casing to allow moisture to the embryo, without this expect to wait 6 months to 2 years or more until the embryo can imbibe water and start the germination process.
This can be achieved in a number of ways, sanding with coarse sandpaper, filing with a file or cutting with a hacksaw blade.
Our preferred method is the hacksaw as it easily cuts through the hard shell.

1. It is best to cut in the centre of the seed, care needs to be taken not to damage the embryo. As you cut through carefully check on the colour as you progress, just before you expose the embryo you will notice a whiter colour appear in the shell, proceed to cut slowly until you just see the green of the embryo.
2. Soak the seed in water for 24 hours to allow water to ingress to the embryo then simply sow the seed approximately 8-10mm under the surface of the growing mix.
3. Keep warm and moist at around 20-24°C (68-75F)
4. Germination can vary depending on temperature, moisture levels and how well you have cut or sanded your seed but expect results in 21-90 days.