INDIA JUJUBE, BEDARA

Bedara belongs to a rather uncommon family of thorny plants in Malaysia. It is probably introduced from India. It is a small thorny tree growing up to a height of 10 meters. The thorns arise from the leaf bases. The scented, greenish flowers appear in clusters at the base of the leaf stalks. Fruits are roundish to oblong in shape, each measuring from 1.8-5 cm long and about 2.5 cm wide. They are green and firm when young, at maturity turning yellow orange to brown. They are eaten raw or as preserved fruits. The flesh is whitish, tastes sourish to sweet. It is like a plum with a stony seed embedded in the flesh. This fruit is quite common in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia, growing well in sandy soils. It is propagated from seeds.