Spondias Pinnata: Tropical Fruit Tree and Culinary Delicacy
The Indian hog plum, scientifically known as Spondias pinnata, is a tropical fruit tree that belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, which also includes mangoes and cashews. This tree is native to South and Southeast Asia and is known by various names in different regions, such as “Ambade” in Konkani, “Amra” in Bengali, and “Lotha” in Assamese.
Description
- Tree: The Indian hog plum tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree, typically growing up to 20 meters (65 feet) in height. It has a straight trunk, spreading branches, and a dense canopy of leaves.
- Leaves: The leaves are pinnate, meaning they have a central stem with multiple leaflets on either side. They are bright green and turn yellow before falling off during the dry season.
- Flowers: The tree produces small, fragrant flowers that are usually white or pale yellow. These flowers bloom in clusters and attract various pollinators, including bees.
- Fruit: The fruit of the Indian hog plum is small, oval-shaped, and green when unripe, turning yellow or orange as it ripens. The flesh is juicy but fibrous, with a sour to slightly sweet taste. The fruit contains a single, large, hard seed.
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