Dillenia indica L. (Dilleniaceae)
- Scientific name
- Dillenia indica L.
- Family name
- Dilleniaceae
- Common name
- Elephant apple, chulta (English); biwa modoki (Japanese)
- Local name
- Saan, ma-tad
Evergreen trees up to 30 m. Leaves arranged spirally, simple, oblong, 15–30 × 6–12 cm, with 25–50 prominent veins, acute or obtuse at apex, rounded to acute at base; petiole 2.5–10 cm. Flowers solitary, terminal, 15–20 cm in diameter, pedicel 4–8 cm. Sepals oval, c. 4–6 × 3–5 cm, up to 10 mm thick near base. Petals white, 7–9 × 5–6 cm. Stamens in 2 distinct groups: outer (c. 550) curved, 13–15 mm, inner (c. 25) reflexed at apex, 20–22 mm. Carpels 14–20, c. 14 × 3 mm, each with 40–80 ovules. Fruit indehiscent, yellowish green, globular, c. 8–10 cm in diameter including sepals. Seeds exarillate.
Grows naturally in evergreen forests or tropical rainforests, usually on dry creek beds or riverbanks, at elevations up to 1100 m a.s.l. Propagated by seed sowing or air layering.
Young fruits are sliced and added tokaeng som (sweet and sour soup) or kaeng ma tad (spicy chulta soup).
Young fruits are sliced and added tokaeng som (sweet and sour soup) or kaeng ma tad (spicy chulta soup).