သီးသီးပင်

Myanmar Name – Thee-thee-pin

Common Name – Wood-apple, elephant-apple

Botanical Name – Limonia acidissima L.

Family Name – Rutaceae

Habitat – Native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates and is often found in dry and deciduous forests, as well as in cultivated lands and roadside areas.

Habit – a slow-growing tree that can reach heights of 9 to 15 meters (30 to 50 feet). The tree has a rounded crown with a dense canopy.

Bark – Rough and grayish-brown, often fissured and cracked as the tree matures.

Leaves – Compound, typically 5 to 15 cm long, and consist of several small leaflets. The leaflets are ovate to lanceolate, with a smooth margin and a leathery texture.

Inflorescence – Terminal or axillary panicle, which means it can grow at the ends of branches or from the axils of leaves.

Flower – Small, greenish-white, and bisexual, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. They typically have five petals and are aromatic.

Fruit And Seed – Hard-shelled berry, round to oval, and can be 5 to 12 cm in diameter. The rind is tough and woody, enclosing a sticky, brown pulp that contains numerous small, white seeds. The pulp is edible and has a sweet and sour flavor.

Flowering and Fruiting Time – Flowering from March to May. Fruiting October from to December.

Usage – Consumed fresh or used in beverages, jams, and chutneys. Medicinal: Traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal medicines for treating digestive disorders, respiratory ailments, and as an anti-inflammatory agent. The wood is used for making tool handles and other small wooden items.