BATOKO PLUM
(Flacourtia inermis)
A tree of batoko
Family: Flacourtiaceae
Other names: Batak, Lovi lovi
Batoko plum seems to have been originated the tropical Asia, including Malaysia. However, now it is found only in a cultivated or semi-cultivated state in tropical Africa, southern Asia, and Pacific Islands to Philippines. It has also reached now in the New World tropics.
Description:
A large shrub or small tree, 8-10 m tall, dioecious, with light brown smoothish bark, twigs sometimes have spines at leaf bases.
Leaves alternate, with petioles 6 – 9 mm long; blades are 5-20 cm long and 2.5-8 cm wide, long-pointed at apex and short-pointed at base, thin or slightly thickened, becoming hairless or nearly so, the long curved side veins slightly sunken.
Flowers of batoko
Flowers small, yellowish, about 6 mm long and broad, borne in short clusters at leaf bases, male and female flowers on different plants.
Fruits round shiny looking like cherries, red, purple, or black, 1.2 – 2.5 cm in diameter.
Seeds small, 8-10 embedded in juicy pulp.
Utilization:
The fruits though sour, are edible. These are rich in pectin and therefore make good jelly and preserves.
Batoko fruits
Cultivation:
Batoko plum trees are planted for its edible fruits. There is a spiny variety too, which is planted for hedge.
New trees are raised from seed. Batoko plum can also be propagated by marcottage.