Elanji

Planted in the memory of Sardar Vallabhai Patel on the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

Overview & Habitat

Mimusops elengi, commonly referred to as the Spanish Cherry or Bullet Wood, is a medium-sized evergreen tree that thrives in tropical forests across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia.
Its wood is highly valued for its durability, while the fruit, although not widely commercialized, is edible.
Traditional medicine systems have long incorporated various parts of the tree for their purported health benefits.
Beyond its functional uses, the tree is favored in gardens for its dense shade and the fragrant aroma its flowers release.
It is often employed as an ornamental tree due to these qualities.
Its flowers are sometimes used in natural perfume production, further enhancing its appeal.

The Mimusops elengi, or Bullet Wood tree (Spanish Cherry), presents an intriguing mix of deceptive beauty and hard-edged resilience, much like the ecosystem it inhabits.
To the casual observer, it is a lovely, fragrant tree, admired for its small, star-shaped flowers and sweet scent.
Beneath its delicate exterior lies an almost indomitable toughness.
Its wood is dense, heavy, and incredibly durable, prized for construction purposes, especially in areas where other species simply wouldn’t hold up.
Its fruits and bark are imbued with medicinal properties, used to treat ailments ranging from diarrhea to skin disorders, making it a critical asset in traditional healing.

The Bullet Wood tree is native to South and Southeast Asia and can grow up to 16 m tall.
Its leaves are dark green, oval-shaped, and glossy.
The cream-colored flowers are covered in fine hair and emit a distinct fragrance.

The fruits are fleshy, ranging from yellow to brown, with a large brown seed inside. The edible pulp is yellow.
The tree’s bark is thick, dark, with striations and cracks, indicating its resilience.
The seeds, resembling those of custard apple, have a hard brown-black coating.
Soaking the seeds accelerates growth, and the trees thrive best in full sunlight, though they have a moderate growth rate.

Its practical utility and adaptability to various climates have made it a staple across its growing regions.
In Thailand, its sundried flowers are used in floral infusions and as a flavorful addition to green tea.
The fruits, brightly colored red-orange when ripe, are softly hairy and edible.
The wood is highly prized for its strength, durability, and deep red hue, contrasting with the sapwood.
With a density of 1,008 kg per cubic meter, the wood polishes well and is sought after for its luxurious finish.

In Thailand’s Yala Province, the flower of Mimusops elengi is celebrated as the provincial emblem.
Similarly, in Malaysia, it has been adopted as the city flower of Ampang Jaya, Selangor.
These regional honors underscore the tree’s symbolic value, beyond its practical applications.
In India, its flowers are made into garlands for the gods.