vikankata :

Ripening fruit Photograph by: Dinesh Valke

Substitute:

Maytenus emarginata (Willd) D.Hou of Celastraceae is also used as vikantaka

Adultrants:

F. jangomas

Controversy:

F. indica and F. ramontchi are sometimes treated as separate species.

The most used common name in English is governer’s plum. However, several of these common names, including governer’s plum have also been used to refer to another species of the Flacourtiagenus (e.g. F. jangomas).

F. indica is similar in to the closely related F. jangomas. They can be distinguished from each other by examination of the leaves. F. jangomas has hairless leaves with long pointed tips whereas F. indica has hairly leaves with a rounded/ short-pointed tip (PIER, 2014)

Commercial value:

F. indica is a highly valued multipurpose species, particularly in east Africa, south and south east Asia with positive economic and social value. The edible fruits have been reported to be sold in local markets in Kenya and Tanzania (PROTA, 2014) and it has been reported as a source of income in Benin (Tchibozo et al., 2012). In a farmer preference survey in Southern Africa, farmers in Malawi ranked it as the fourth most important species (Franzel et al., 2008). It is highly regarded for its medicinal value, especially in India.

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