Flacourtia indica is a species of the flowering plant in the family Flacourtiaceae or Salicaceae. It is native to Asia and Africa. It is widely grown for its edible fruit. Common names include Batoko plum, Madagascar plum, Indian plum, Rhodesia plum Mauritius plum, Ramontchi, Kangu, Governor’s Plum, Flacourtia, Batoka Plum, Rhodesia plum, Botoko plum, Paniala, Ceyon plum and Bilangra.
Fruits are eaten raw or cooked in the culinary uses. It is also used for medicinal purposes. The species of the tree grows to 15 meters tall. The branches are spiny and drooping. The tree has rough, pale, powdery, grey to brown bark. Leaves are scalloped or toothed.
Plant
This is a small tree or shrub that may grow up to 15 meters high. It is an evergreen and spiny which is grown for the ornamental purposes. Leaves are elliptic, ovate to round in shape, scalloped or toothed and 2.5-5 cm long. The fruit produced is a fleshy pome which is spherical and is 2.5 cm in across. The flesh is yellow or white which has sweet taste. Each fruit has 6 to 10 seeds; 8-10 mm long; 4-7 mm broad and is pale brown. Flowers are inconspicuous and greenish to yellow that blooms from December to April.
Governor’s plum has adequate amount of nutrients which helps to prevent anemia, arthritis, coughs, colds, snake bites, diarrhea, enhance immunity and cures bone ailments. The fruit has a flesh which contains from 6-10 seeds. It possesses a sweet acidic taste and used to make preserves, jams and jellies. The pulp is white or yellow and mostly used to fermentation of wines. It helps to treat cough, snakebites as well as the infection of throats. The daily intake of Governor’s plum helps to stimulate the levels of blood in the body. So it is good for pregnancy and menstrual bleeding problems.
Cure arthritis
Fruit helps to prevent and treat the condition of arthritis as it has high amount of phosphorus, calcium, minerals and zinc.
Treats anemia
The daily intakes of this fruit enhance the level of blood due to the presence of iron. So it is safe during pregnancy and the people with menstrual bleeding problems.
Colds and flu
It helps to treat cold and flu effectively along with the symptoms such as coughs, sneezing and running nose. It has high content of Vitamin A, C and riboflavin.
Diarrhea problems
It is the best treatment for diarrhea. One loss high amount of minerals from the body during diarrhea which might cause death and shock. The intake of this fruit helps to replace the minerals.
Aid for snake bites
The application of the pulp to the bites helps to nullify the poison of the snakes. It should be applied quickly after snake bite and should also be consumed for effective results.
Cures bone ailments
Governor’s plum helps to stimulate the health of bones. The presence of minerals makes the bones strong during brittle bone disease.
Enhance immunity
Thiamine and Vitamin A promotes the immunity power of the body. The pulp helps to prevent infections and enhance the immunity of the body.
Allergies
Governor’s plum helps to eradicate allergy. The intake of the fruit assists in the prevention of skin allergic and respiratory reactions.
