The lustrous red bearing fruits of a wonder tree,Kokum scientifically known as Garciniaindica, is always eye-catching to travelers of Konkan belt from north of kasargode to konkan area of Maharashtra during summer months.
A plant in the mangosteen and kudampuli (Clusiaceae) family, commonly known as kokum, is a fruit-bearing tree that has culinary, pharmaceutical and industrial uses. This is an evergreen tree which grows up to a height of 10-15 metres. The plant is often dubbed as cool king and kokum butter tree. Male and female plants are seen separately. These plants usually flower during November-February and yields fruits during April - June months.
The tree apart from yielding fruits is a good ornamental and shade tree. Kokum has no English name, because it is native to India, and even in India, it is a stranger anywhere outside the Konkan region and some parts of Gujarat. Kokum is often referred to as cool....
