12

So there's this fruit-bearing tree near my house in Kerala, South India. A senior neighbor of mine tells me that this fruit is edible. I tried it out, and it tastes alright. I want to ID this plant, know its botanical name, as well as whether it has any medical/commercial/culinary application.

The flower, a small, white one.

The fruit is green when tender and red when ripe.

The fruits, like a red berry when ripe.

RHA
  • 3,685
  • 15
  • 32
Aravind Suresh Thakidayil
  • 453
  • 2
  • 12

1 Answers1

14

This looks like Muntingia calabura, the Jamaica Cherry.

flower pic source berry pic source
It is indigenous to tropical America and often planted in Asia. It is edible and used in jam, cake and fruit drinks. The bark is sometimes used as rope. Source: "Tropische vruchten, Nowak&Schulz 1999"

RHA
  • 3,685
  • 15
  • 32