MULCHI
(Plinia inflata)

A tree of mulchi
Family: Myrtaceae
Mulchi is a fruit of from Central America upto an elevation of 500 m. It is a close relative of cambuca (Plonia edulis). This fruit grows in Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. Though it is a good fruit to eat, yet it is not commercially cultivated and mostly collectors grow it home and public gaedens.
Description:
An evergreen tree, 4-10 m tall.
Leaves elliptic oblong, 4-6 cm wide, 9-15 cm long.
Flowers white, about 1 cm wide, borne in groups of 1-8 on trink, branches and also in leaf axils.

Foliage and flowers of mulchi
Fruits pyriform, yellow orange at maturity, rind leathery, pulp white, light, spongy and juicy, sweet, very tasty.
Seeds large, 1-4.
Utilization:
Muchi fruits are tasty and eaten out of hand. These are also made into jam or jelly. In Peru, a popular liqueur is from mulchi fruits.

Fruit bearing in mulchi
Cultivation:
Mulchi is a multipurpose fruit tree. Besides providing tasty edible fruits, mulchi is also a good ornamental tree. So its planting in gardens should be encouraged.

Mulchi fruits
Mulchi trees do best in partial shade. New plants can be raised from seed.