Philippines but which has naturalized in tropical Asia and Africa
Colors
Green to yellow to glossy, bright red
Shapes
Sub-globose to globose, 2–2.5 cm diameter, smooth
Taste
Sour and astringent
Lobi-Lobi, scientifically known as Flacourtia inermis Roxb., is originated in tropical Asia including Malesia. The annual planted in the tropics of the New World. It is planted as a shade. The plant grows in form of trees which is 3 meters to 10 meters high. The trunk is usually crooked, furrowed and gnarled upto 35 cm with brown or grey, smooth bark. Branchlets are pubescent to nearly tomentose and brownish. Leaves are single, alternately and short-stemmed. Leaves are oval, 8 to 20 cm long and 3-15 cm wide. Racemes are short, nearly reduced to fascicles about 1 to 1.5 cm and puberulous having several small bracts at the base. Pedicles are slender, finely pubescent and measures 4-10 mm. Sepals are ovate, obtuse and nearly glabrous outside. Stamens are not fully developed. The fruit is round measuring 1-3 cm in diameter that encompasses many seeds. Fruit has soft skin with smooth surface. Young fruits are yellowish green which turns to dark red to purple black when ripened. The fruit tastes sour.
