Manilkara kauki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wongi |
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| fruits and seeds | |
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| Leaves | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Manilkara
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| Species: |
kauki
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| Synonyms | |
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Mimusops kauki L. (basionym) |
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Manilkara kauki is a special plant that belongs to the Sapotaceae family, which includes many trees and shrubs. This plant is known by different names around the world. In Australia, people often call it wongi. In Java, it's known as sawo kacik and has a link to important Javanese traditions. Globally, it's often called caqui.
This plant grows in warm, tropical parts of Asia, including countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. You can also find it growing naturally in northern Queensland in Australia.
Discovering the Wongi Plant
What the Wongi Plant Looks Like
The Manilkara kauki plant has strong, stiff leaves. The top side of the leaves is a dark green color. The underside is paler and feels soft and silky.
The plant also grows tasty fruit. These fruits are orange-red and are usually about 3 to 4 centimeters long.
Amazing Uses of the Wongi Plant
The fruit of the Manilkara kauki is known to be very delicious! People have enjoyed eating it for a long time.
For example, the Torres Strait Islanders, who live on islands between Australia and Papua New Guinea, traditionally eat this fruit. They even travel between islands to gather the ripe fruit when it's ready to be picked.
Besides its yummy fruit, the Manilkara kauki plant is also useful for other things. It can be used to help grow other similar plants, like the Sapodilla tree, which also produces sweet fruit. Parts of the Manilkara kauki plant are also used in traditional herbal medicine.
