Elephant Apple Chalta Dillenia Indica Fruit Plant (1.5-3 Feet Height)

Elephant Apple Chalta (Dillenia indica), native to tropical Asia including India, grows as a large evergreen tree producing distinctive round greenish-yellow aggregate fruits 5-12 cm across, enclosed in persistent fleshy sepals forming a cabbage-like structure with edible fibrous pulp containing numerous small seeds. The tangy-sour pulp offers culinary and medicinal value while large 15-20 cm white flowers with yellow stamens add ornamental appeal to this humidity-loving species reaching 15-30m tall with reddish-brown flaky bark. The 1.5–3 feet plant suits home gardens, agroforestry, or wild edible landscapes in wet tropical zones.​

WHAT YOU GET

• 1 live Elephant Apple Chalta Dillenia indica fruit plant

• Height at dispatch: approximately 1.5–3 feet

• Authentic native variety for unique fruits, strong growth, and biodiversity value

• Suitable for large pots, backyards, or rainforest-style planting

KEY FEATURES 🌟

• 🍏 Tall evergreen with corrugated 15-36 cm leaves, solitary drooping flowers, and heavy globose fruits rich in vitamin C, tannins, betulinic acid, flavonoids supporting digestion, antidiarrheal action, and antioxidant protection​

• 🌸 Sweet-sour-astringent pulp used in curries, jams, jellies; flowers attract pollinators​

• 💪 Medicinal bark/leaves treat diarrhea, wounds; pioneer species for forest restoration​

• 🌦 Thrives in humid tropics (24-35°C, high rainfall); shade tolerant but fruits best in sun​

• 🌱 Fast-growing, buttressed trunk; taproot system prefers moist acidic soils​

PLANTING & CARE 🌱

• 🌤 Light: Full sun to partial shade; vigorous in humid understory​

• 🪴 Soil: Rich moist loamy/clay; pH 5.5-7.0 tolerates waterlogging​

• 💧 Watering: High consistent; rainfall 2000+mm ideal, drought sensitive young​

• 🌿 Mulching: Thick organic layer mimics forest floor

• ✂️ Pruning: Remove lower branches for single trunk; harvest aids fruiting

• 🧴 Fertilizing: Compost/organics annually; avoid excess nitrogen​

BENEFITS & USES 🍽️

• 🍏 Pulp for tangy curries, chutneys, pickles, desserts; young leaves as plates​

• 💪 Tannins slow gut motility resolving diarrhea; anti-inflammatory for wounds/skin​

• 🌳 Shade tree, windbreak, ornamental for tropical gardens/wildlife

• 🎁 Exotic native gift for foragers, chefs, or biodiversity enthusiasts

• 🐝 Supports pollinators/birds; cultural significance in Northeast India​

DISCLAIMER ⚠️

• Fruits fibrous/seedy; sour taste needs sugar/processing​

• Large mature size limits container life; frost tender below 0°C​

• Prefers monsoon climates; poor drainage causes root rot