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Hog Plum

Spondias mombin, also known as yellow mombin or hog plum is a species of tree and flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae. It is native to the tropical Americas, including the West Indies. The tree was introduced by the Portuguese in South Asia at the beginning of the 17th century. It has been naturalized in parts of Africa, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, The Bahamas, Indonesia, and other Caribbean islands. The mature fruit has leathery skin and a thin layer of pulp. The seed has an oil content of 31.5%. Hog plum is a small deciduous tree up to 20 m. The flowers bloom from January to May and are sweet-scented, in large, lax terminal panicles of small white flowers. The fruits have a sharp, somewhat acidic taste and are edible. Hog plums are rich in antioxidants, which provide a range of health benefits. It is also a rich source of fiber, Vitamins, iron, and essential minerals. This fruit stimulates appetite, stimulates taste buds, and improves digestion. The fruit pulp is either eaten fresh or made into juice, concentrate, jellies, and sherbets. The fruit is used in the preparation of chutney, pickles, curries, and different types of spicy delicacies. Leaves and barks are aromatic and have astringent value when administered for dysentery. Gum from the barks is used in fumigation. This photo was taken at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 01/08/2023. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)

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