The tree reaches 50 to 55 ft (15-17 m) in height and at an age of 18
years may have a trunk 33 in (85 cm) in circumference. The evergreen
leaves are pinnate with 6 to 10 opposite leaflets, oval, rounded at the
apex, dark-green, leathery, 1 to 2 1/2 in (2.5-6.25 cm) long. The tiny
red flowers are in short, slender racernes borne in clusters along the
branches–male, female or hermaphrodite on separate trees. The pod is
light- to dark-brown, oblong, flattened, straight or slightly curved,
with a thickened margin; 4 to 12 in (10-30 cm) long, 3/4 to 1 in (1-2.5
cm) wide, glossy, tough and fibrous. It is filled with soft,
semi-translucent, pale-brown pulp, scant or plentiful, and 10 to 13
flattened, very hard seeds which are loose in their cells and rattle
when the pod is fully ripe and dry. The unripe pod is green, moist and
very astringent; the ripe pod sweet when chewed (avoiding the seeds) but
the odor of the broken pod is faintly like Limburger cheese because of
its 1.3% isobutyric acid content.
Min. seeds 25 seeds per pkt
More details:
http://jkmpic.blogspot.in
Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
POB: GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph : 09858986794, 01933-223705
e-mail : jkmpic@gmail.com
