Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch.

Frost tender tree with a spiny stem, ovate, pointed leaves, to 10cm, red at first then dark green, and axillary clusters of yellow-green flowers, followed by edible, reddish-brown fruit, 2.5cm across, with yellow-green pulp.  To 10m.  [RHSD].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1804.  [JD].  Don.

The figure in Roxburgh’s Plants of the Coast of Coromandel [Roxburgh vol.3, pl.222/1795-1819] as Flacourtia inermis appears to be Flacourtia jangomas.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.450/1850].  There are several mature trees in the gardens that fruit reliably.  The unripe fruit is very tart but the ripe fruit is refreshingly sweet.

Notes

Naturalised on the tropical east coast of Australia [www.saveourwaterwaysnow.com.au] and in the Pacific Islands [www.hear.org/Pier] and considered a potentially major weed. 

Flacourtia cataphracta Wall. = Xylosma controversum Clos

Flacourtia cataphracta Blume (1825) = Flacourtia rukam Zoll. & Mor.

Published Mar 18, 2010 - 05:20 PM | Last updated Mar 18, 2010 - 05:27 PM

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The image shows a flowering shoot with ovate, toothed leaves and details of the red fruit. Roxburgh vol.3, pl.222, 1795-1819.

Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch. | Roxburgh vol.3, pl.222/1795-1819 | BHL.  As Flacourtia inermis.

Family Flacourtiaceae
Category
Region of origin

Probably India, but unknown in the wild
Synonyms
  • Flacourtia cataphracta Roxb. ex Willd.
  • Roumea jangomas Spreng.
  • Stigmarosa jangomas Lour.
  • Spina spinarum Rumph.
Common Name

Indian cherry, Rukon, Paniola
Name in the Camden Park Record

Flacourtia Cataphracta 
Confidence level high