Mimusops elengi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mimusops elengi
Scientific classification
Genus:	Mimusops
Species:	elengi

The ripe fruit has many traditional uses.

The Spanish cherry (scientific name: Mimusops elengi) is a beautiful tree found in warm, tropical forests. You can find it growing in places like South Asia, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. People also call it medlar or bullet wood.

In Tamilnadu, India, it's known as 'Magizhampoo'. This tree is special because its wood is very strong, its fruit can be eaten, and it's used in traditional medicine. Many people love to plant it in gardens because it gives great shade and its flowers smell wonderful.

The flower of the Spanish cherry is important in some places. It's the official flower of Yala Province in Thailand. It's also the city flower of Ampang Jaya in Selangor, Malaysia.

Discover the Spanish Cherry Tree

Flowers in Hyderabad, India

Bark

The Spanish cherry is an evergreen tree, meaning it stays green all year round. It can grow to be about 16 meters (52 feet) tall. Its flowers usually appear in April, and the fruits ripen in June.

The leaves are shiny and dark green. They are shaped like an oval and are about 5 to 14 centimeters (2 to 5.5 inches) long. The flowers are creamy white, a bit fuzzy, and have a lovely smell. The tree's bark is thick and can be dark brownish-black or grayish-black. It often has lines and small cracks on its surface. This tree can reach a height of 9 to 18 meters (30 to 60 feet) and its trunk can be about 1 meter (3 feet) around.

Traditional Uses of the Spanish Cherry

Flowers are made into garlands

Different parts of the Spanish cherry tree, like its bark, flowers, fruits, and seeds, have been used in traditional medicine for a long time. People believed it could help with things like keeping teeth and gums healthy.

Other Ways We Use This Tree

• The sweet-smelling flowers are often dried in the sun. In Thailand, they are used to make special drinks or added to green tea for extra flavor.
• The fruit is soft and hairy at first, then becomes smooth and bright red-orange when it's ripe. It is safe to eat.
• The wood of the Spanish cherry is very special. It's known for being extremely hard, strong, and tough. It has a beautiful deep red color. This wood is easy to work with and can be polished to a lovely shine. It is very dense, weighing about 1008 kilograms per cubic meter.