1.
Mimusops elengi
Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 349. 1753.
Spanish cherry, kabiki
Kaukenia elengi
(Linnaeus) Kuntze
Plants
to 20 m.
Stems
glabrate to appressed-puberulent, hairs tawny to reddish brown.
Leaves
spirally arranged; petiole 10-30 mm, glabrescent; blade elliptic to ovate [obovate], 40-145 × 20-70 mm, coriaceous, margins broadly undulate.
Inflorescences
2-3(-4)-flowered fascicles or solitary flowers.
Pedicels
8-21 mm, densely hairy.
Flowers
fragrant, 12-14 mm diam. at anthesis; sepals narrowly ovate, 4-6 × 2-3 mm, abaxially densely appressed-hairy, hairs tawny to reddish brown; corolla lobes: median segment elliptic to lanceolate, 6-9 mm, erose; lateral segments lanceolate, 6-8.5 mm, erose; stamens 4.5-6 mm; staminodes 4-6 mm.
Berries
20-30 mm.
Seeds
15-20 mm.
2
n
= 24.
Flowering Apr-Sep. Disturbed sites [wet evergreen tropical forests]; 0-30[-800] m; introduced; Fla.; Asia.
Mimusops elengi
is widely cultivated as an ornamental shade tree with fragrant flowers, astringent, yet edible, fruits, and hard, durable wood. In Malaysia, India, and Sri Lanka, some parts of the tree are used as medicinals (W. Dymock et al. 1890-1893, vol. 2; H. Trimen et al. 1893-1931, vol. 3; E. J. H. Corner 1952).
