Dillenia indica L.

Agriculture - Forestry

Common Name

Elephant Apple, Simpoh Air, Simpoh Kuning, Simpuh, Chalta, Indian Simpoh, Chimpoh, Simpoh, Simpor, Peradun, Tipor, 五桠果

Cultivation

It can be propagated by seed.

Culture/Religious

Desirable Plant Features

Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) (Night, Dawn / Dusk)

Diseases

Edible Parts

Edible Fruits

Family Name

Dilleniaceae

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna

Caterpillar Moth Food Plant, Bat Food

Flower & Plant Sexuality 1

Bisexual Flowers

Flower Colour(s)

White

Flowering Period

Food: Fruit & Vegetable

Fruit & Vegetable

Food: Fruit & Vegetable Description

The fleshy sepals surrounding the fruit is edible and tastes like unripe apple. It is usually eaten with curries or made into jams.

Growth Characteristics

Full Sun

Lots of Water

Moderate Water

Growth Form

It is a more or less deciduous tree, up to 30 m tall and 1.2 m in diameter.

Herb and Spice Description

Lifespan (in Singapore)

Perennial

Light Preference

Full Sun

Maintenance Requirements

Moderate

Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms

Green - Light Green

Maximum Height

30 m

Medicinal

Native Distribution

India, China, Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Java and Borneo.

Others

The fruit pulp is used as a hair wash.

Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance

Moist Soils

Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site)

Well-Drained Soils

Fertile Loamy Soils

Heavy Clay Soils

Plant Characteristics

Fruit or Vegetable

Tree

Suitable for Roadsides

Ornamental Flowers

Plant Growth

Tree (Medium (16m-30m))

Plant Growth Rate

Moderate

Planting Distance From

Pollination Method(s)

Biotic (Fauna)

Potential Problems

Preferred Climate Zone

Tropical

Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Propagation Method

Seed

Seed or Spore Germination Duration From

Specialised Storage Organ(s)

Timber & Products

The timber was used for building houses, ships, and telegraph poles.

Water Preference

Moderate Water

Lots of Water