Plant Family: Member of the Dilleniaceae family; other members include the Malaysian Shrubby Simpoh (Dillenia suffruticosa)

Description: A handsome, medium-sized, evergreen or seasonally deciduous tree, up to 15 m tall (50 ft); simple leaves are large, ellliptic- oblong and wrinkled, with serrated edges and 23-30 cm long (9-12 in); tree bears very large, attractive, solitary white flowers, 13-18 cm across (5-7 in), with numerous stamens; produces a profusion of large, round, green fruit, 10-15 cm in diameter (4-6 in), formed by the much enlarged, closely packed, fleshy sepals; fruit is juicy and very acid.

Natural Habitat: Tropical and semi-tropical regions with light to moderate rainfall; propagated by cutting or seed, but seeds do not store well.

Origin & Distribution: Indigenous to India and Sri Lanka, and found in Tropical Asia generally.

Uses: Primarily ornamental; juicy, acid fruit edible raw, but usually cooked; in India, also used for making jelly, a cooling drink and vegetable curries.

References:
H.F. Macmillan. Tropical Planting and Gardening, Macmillan, London 1956
William C. Kennard and Harold F. Winters. Some Fruits and Nuts of the Tropics. USDA, Washington, DC 1960
Robert A. DeFilipps. Useful Plants of the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 1998