INDIAN CHERRY (Mutingia Calabura)
The West Indian cherry is native to Mexico and has
been introduced to Malaysia and Singapore from the West Indies. It is also
known as the Japanese cherry but it is neither a true cherry nor has any
relationship to Japan. It is a berry. The West Indian cherry tree is evergreen,
has a dense umbrella shaped crown and can grow up to a height of 4 to 7 meters. It is quick
growing and will fruit all year round. The leaves are green, ovate, alternate
and narrow. The flowers are small and white. The fruits are small, round and
have a diameter of 1.2 cm. The unripe fruits are greenish turning yellow and
than pink on ripening. The pulp is soft and sweet and has many tidy edible
seeds embedded in it. The fruits are eaten fresh by children, birds, bats and
monkeys. It is usually difficult to even spot enough ripe fruits to get a taste
of it….