an overview of the unexplored underutilized fruit crops of

An overview of the unexplored underutilized fruit crops of Assam, India

Bikash Hazarika* Regional Agricultural Research Station, Gossaigaon, Assam Agricultural University, Gossaiga-

on- 783360 (Assam), India

Manha Bathari Regional Agricultural Research Station, Diphu, Assam Agricultural University, Diphu- 782460

(Assam), India

Vinod Upadhyay Regional Agricultural Research Station, Gossaigaon, Assam Agricultural University, Gossaiga-


Sunil Kumar Paul Regional Agricultural Research Station, Gossaigaon, Assam Agricultural University, Gossaiga-


Mahadev Uzir Basumutary Regional Agricultural Research Station, Gossaigaon, Assam Agricultural University, Gossaiga-


Palash Thengal Regional Agricultural Research Station, Gossaigaon, Assam Agricultural University, Gossaiga-


Utpal Kotoky Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat- 785013 (Assam), India

*Corresponding author. E. mail: [email protected]

Article Info

https://doi.org/10.31018/

jans.v12i3.2343

Received: August 8, 2020

Revised: September 7, 2020

Accepted: September 11,2020

How to Cite

Hazarika, B. et al. (2020). An overview of the unexplored underutilized fruit crops of Assam, India. Journal of Applied and

Natural Science, 12(3): 442 - 453. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v12i3.2343

This work is licensed under Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). © : Author (s). Publishing rights @ ANSF.

Journal of Applied and Natural Science 12(3): 442 - 453 (2020)

Published online: September 14, 2020

ISSN : 0974-9411 (Print), 2231-5209 (Online)

journals.ansfoundation.org

Review Article

INTRODUCTION

In the present scenario, the fast development and

busy nature of the human race has led to imbalance

not in their health but also to the environment in which

they are living. Wild and domesticated diversity is

composed of nearly 3000 tropical fruit species; only a

few are cultivated on a large scale (Mishra et al.,

2003). These species (approximately 600 tropical and

Abstract Assam is the largest state of North-East India. This state is considered as one of the most extravagant biodiversity hotspots of

the world because of its different geography, atmosphere and agro-environmental conditions. Various plant species that incor-

porate natural products have their starting point in this locale. A considerable number of these are yet to be developed in wild or

semi-wild states. Regardless of the huge hereditary decent variety of these natural products, just a couple have been grown as

business crops for their monetary, social and strict significance. Some of the explored fruit crops of Assam that have many po-

tentials of being used not only in culinary purpose but also in much Ayurvedic medicine which is still underutilized Some of the

underutilized fruit (UUF) crops of Assam are Kordoi/Carambola (Averrhoa Carambola), Leteku/Burmese grape (Baccurea sapi-

da), Amra/Hog plum (Spondius mangifera), Jalphai/Olive (Olea europaea), Bael/Stone apple (Aegle marmelos), Imli/Tamarind

(Tamarindus indica), Jamun/Wild Jamun (Sygium cuminii), Thekera/Garcinia spp., Poniol/Govorners plum (Falcourita jango-

mas), Outenga/Elephant fruit (Delinia indica ) and Amlokhi/ Indian Goose berry (Phyllanthus emblica) etc. Fruits have multipur-

pose utilisations and consequently assume critical job, particularly, for the prosperity of country individuals by giving suste-

nance, family pay and business. Huge numbers of these natural fruits have been utilised as customary restorative plants and

some have discovered a significant spot in the Indian arrangement of Ayurvedic medicine and Unani since days of yore. Re-

gardless of their latent capacity, these indigenous fruit crops are less known both at scientific and farmers level particularly in

our region and some of them like wild jackfruit (Artocarpus hirsutus), Rattan (Calamus rotang) , Naga tenga (Myrica esculenta)

etc. which are nearer to extinction.

Keywords: Assam, Ayurvedic, Extinction, Minor fruits, Underutilized fruits

https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v12i3.2343



443

Hazarika, B. et al. / J. Appl. & Nat. Sci. 12(3): 442 - 453 (2020)

subtropical) are better known in their domains of as-

sorted diversity and have not yet been utilised to their

most extreme limit. There exists a rich assorted varie-

tal diversity of fruits over the tropical and sub-tropical

areas of the world, with in excess of 500 types of fruits

evaluated to be found in South East Asia alone. South

and Southeast Asia represent above 300 species of

native minor fruits (Barua et al., 2019). Assam has

been the point of convergence of different tropical and

temperate fruit species, a huge part of which still re-

main in a wild or semi-wild state. Regardless of the

wide varying assortment of these fruits, simply some criti-

cal fruits like mango, banana, citrus and guava have

gained popularity (Beluhan and Ranogajec, 2010).

Due to the wide agro-climatic condition prevailed in the

state of Assam, this underutilized fruit (UUF) crop

grows in the wild nature and is considered as one of

the hot spots in India (Asati and Yadav, 2004). The

region has a rich source of diverse Kordoi/Carambola

(Avverhoea carambola), Leteku/Burmese grape

(Bacearuia sapida), Amra/Hog plum (Spondius cythe-

ra), Jalphai/Olive (Elacocarpus floribunda), Bael/Stone

apple (Aegle mermelos), Imli/Tamarind (Tamarindus

indica), Jamun/Wild Jamun (Sygium cuminii), Thekera/

Garcinia spp., Poniol/Govorners plum (Falcourita jan-

gomas) Outenga/Elephant fruit (Delinia indica) and

Amlokhi (Phyllanthus emblica) etc. For example, in

Assam Garcinia spp. grow extensively in wild and semi

-wild state, the sundried slice of fruit pieces are being

used in culinary purpose and also used in folk medi-

cine. Species, like Garcinia pedunculata, G. kydia, G.

cowa and G. lancifolia are the most important species

found in Assam (Barua et al., 2019).

UNDERUTILIZED FRUITS

The potential underutilized fruits (Plate 1) have been

discussed in brief including their habitat, dissemina-

tion, morphological depiction, quality attributes and

potential uses.

Bael (Aegle marmelos): Bilva (Aegle marmelos Corr.)

commonly known as bael tree belonging to Rutaceae

family. The tree grows wild in dry forests on hills and

plains of central and southern India, Burma, Pakistan

and Bangladesh, also in mixed deciduous and dry dip-

terocarp forests (Neha et al., 2014). It is a medium-

size tree achieving tallness up to 20 feet and accepted

to originate in India (Plate 1, a). The mash of the or-

ganic product is expended crude and prepared to

make different worth included items like sharbat,

squash, jam and so forth. The squash is profoundly

nutritious, and it gives relief from constipation. The

unripe Fruit is endorsed for looseness of the bowels

and diarrhoea. The ripe Fruit is diuretic and useful for

heart and mind. Bael is utilised in almost 60 protected

medications. A crystalline substance 'Marmelosin' pre-

sent in Fruit has remedial/nutraceutical properties. It is

assessed that each 100 gm of the pulp of Bael contain

61.5 gm of water, 1.80 gm of protein, 0.39 gm of fats,

1.70 gm of minerals, 31.8 gm of sugars, 55 mg of car-

otene, 0.13 gm of thiamine, 1.19 gm riboflavin, 1.1 mg

of niacin and 8 gm. of nutrient C (Barua et al., 2019).

Likewise, trifoliate leaves are utilised in puja and peti-

tions of Lord Shiva (Neha et al., 2014).

Kordoi (Averrhoa Carambola): It has a place with

family Oxalidaceae and is also known as 'Kordoi' in

Assamese (Assam). It is found all over the north east-

ern area. The Carambola or "star fruit" (Plate 1, b), an

elongated fruit is made out of 5 carpels with a star-

moulded cross section. It is popularly called as star

fruit due to the special shape of the Fruit that resem-

bles a star. The pungency in Fruit is because of calci-

um oxalate crystals present in the flesh, which forms

oxalic acid when get dissolved in saliva (Patel et al.,

2008). It is a slow-growing, short-trunked evergreen

tree with moderate to heavy branching, fully mature

trees surpass 25-30 feet vertically and 20-25 feet hori-

zontally. Carambola fruits are oval to ellipsoid, with 5

to 6 longitudinal ribs. The skin is thin, pale to profound

yellow and smooth with a waxy cuticle like skin. The

fruit flesh is a light yellow-to-bright golden yellow,

clear, fresh and juicy, fibreless. Root concentrate of

Carambola is utilised as a cure for poisoning, and

squashed leaves are utilised for relieving chickenpox,

ringworm and scabies. It is a rich source of reducing

sugar, ascorbic acids and minerals, for instance, po-

tassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphate and fur-

thermore nutrient A (560 IU/100 gm) (Das and Pra-

kash, 2009). The natural products are broadly utilised

for planning of squash and pickles. The rough natural

items are astringent to the gut, stop detachment of the

insides and hurling causes biliousness. The Fruit and

squashes prepared are useful for draining heaps or

piles and accepted to be a decent solution for jaun-

dice, throat inflammation, mouth ulcer, toothache,

cough, asthma, hiccups, indigestion, food poisoning, col-

ic, diarrhoea, (Dasgupta et al., 2013). Carambola is

broadly utilised in ancient Ayurveda (Sheth and Ashok,

2005).

Amlokhi (Phyllanthus emblica): Amla is the first tree

to be created in the universe; which belongs to the

family of Euphorbiaceae and is also known as Phyl-

lanthus emblica or Indian gooseberry (Khan 2009).

Amla is native to India and also grows in tropical and

subtropical regions of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Sri

Lanka, South East Asia, China and Malaysia The

plant grows wild furthermore as cultivated crops in

Assam (Khan 2009). It is a deciduous tree in subtropi-

cal climate with sparse foliage. It is also called Fruit of

21st century and Amritphal Fruit (Plate 1, c). Due to

hardy prolific bearing nature amlokhi is becoming high-

444

ly remunerative. The Fruit is very nutritive and rich in

vitamin C (600mg/100g). The fruits are made into mor-

raba, sauce, candy, dried chips, tablets, jellies and

pickles etc. The antioxidant and other constituents are

well retained in dried Amlokhi. They are highly valued

as vitality restorer, antiscorbutic, diuretic, alternative

and antibiotic and are employed within the treatment

of chronic dysentery, diarrhoea, jaundice, dyspepsia,

diabetes and cough etc (Deka et al., 2012). Only as-

tringent Fruit is employed for Ayurvedic medicine. It is

also employed in tanning and dyeing industries (Deka

et al., 2012).

Amora (Spondius mangifera): It is a tree allied to

Manigifera, commonly known as Wild mango,

Bile-tree, Hog-plum or Amrata in Ayurvedic system of

medicine (Anonyms, 2001). It is distributed widely in

the tropics and abundantly in the eastern and north-

east regions of India (Muhammad et al., 2015). It is

very useful for treatment against Shigellosis, Tubercu-

losis infection as they're blood purifier and also effec-

tive against scurvy, rickets, diseases. The Fruit may

be a rich source of vitamins (Deka et al., 2012). Fruits

may be eaten raw and may be used for preparation of

pickles (Patel et al., 2008) (Plate 1, d).

Leteku (Baccurea sapida): It is a medium sized tree

found wild within the state. Fruits are round in shape

and creamy to yellow in colour, average weight being

11.9 gms (Plate 1, e). The Fruit is known to content

high antioxidant properties (Mitra et al., 2008a).

Outenga (Dillenia indica): The fruits are eaten

cooked. Excellent jams are often prepared from this

Fruit. The juice of the Fruit mixed with sugar and water

is employed as cooling beverage in fevers and brought

as a cough mixture. It is also used as mild laxative.

Fruits are rich in protein and vitamin C (Plate1, f)

(Deka et al., 2012).

Poniol (Flacourtia jangomos): It is a medium esti-

mated tree with hard spring branches. hardy prolific

bearer The fruits are dull earthy colored in shading

when ripe, tissue is firm, caramel green and moderate-

ly delicious (Plate 1, g). Brushing between hands ren-

dered the Fruit much astringent but rather more satis-

factory and palatable. It is a rich in protein (3.65%),

antioxidant (217.99 mg/100 gm) and mineral like

Phosphorous (146.80 mg/100 gm), Calcium (175.50

mg/100 gm), Potassium (158.10 mg/100 gm) and Iron

(118.30 mg/100 gm) (Sasi et al., 2018). The iron sub-

stance of Poniol is 280 multiple times of very apples. It

additionally contains a few fundamental amino acids

(Rathore, 2012).

Silikha (Terminilia chebula): It is a tall tree, devel-

oped wild in the state yet appreciated by all over India

for its high restorative and medicinal worth (Deka et

al., 2012). Fruits are small, oval and tightening to-

wards the two ends, green when fresh and dark and

hard subsequent when dried (Plate 1, h). It has a wide

scope of medicinal uses and it is significant segment

of numerous Ayurvedic drugs. It assists with restoring

gastric difficulty, acid reflux and answered to be gain-

ful against Asthma, Piles, Worm, Colic Pain, Heart

Diseases, Scabies, Lever Jaundice, Stone, and CUPS

(Chronic Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis), Eye Dis-

eases and Vomiting and so forth (Roy et al., 1998).

Jamun (Syzygium cuminii): It is a tall tree; growing

both in wild and semi-wild state. It is utilised as both

avenue or as a breeze break. The fruits are little oval

fit as a fiddle with dark purple shading (Plate 1, i). The

Fruit held a significant situation towards wellbeing. It is

utilised as a viable medication against diabetes, heart

and liver difficulty (Rathore, 2012). Aside from Fruit,

seed likewise have benefits. The seeds contain an

alkaloid Jambosin and a glycoside Jambolin or An-

timellin which diminishes the diastatic transformation

of starch to sugars. The seed powder is accepted to

decrease the amount of sugar in the urine rapidly

(Mazumdar, 2004).

Garcinia species: Garcinia L. has a place with the fami-

ly Clusiaceae found all through in the tropical areas of

the world. Garcinia L. is evergreen trees or bushes with

greenish gum saps. The individuals from the class

Garcinia L. are potential, high worth therapeutic plants

and have antimicrobial action (Anonymous, 2002).

In India, 30 species announced by T. Anderson in

Flora of British India (1874). Among the 35 species

detailed by Maheswhari (1964), 15 species are re-

membered for North-East India. Kanjilal et al., (1934)

revealed 9 species from unified Assam. Kar et al., (2008)

revealed 8 species from Sonitpur locale of Assam.

A very few species types are domesticated either for

fruits, vegetables, customary drugs or other residential

uses like for making house, firewood and landscaping.

Domesticated species includes Garcinia atroviridis, G.

cowa, G. morella, G. lanceaefolia, G. hombroniana, G.

prainiana and G. mangostana. Individuals from

Garcinia L. species created eatable foods grown from

the ground. G. mangostana is most well-known Fruit

among other species of Garcinia. Individuals from

Garcinia L. utilised for medication of childbirth, for

menstrual issues, looseness of the bowels and fever

in conventional arrangement of medication (Burkill

1935) and furthermore recorded that a few species

have possible treatment for HIV (Rukachaisirikul et

al ., 2003) and Cancer (Nabandith et al., 2004). The

Garcinia species available in Assam is tabulated in

Table 1and shown in Plate 1, j.

UNEXPLORED FRUITS

The following fruits have been known to be found in

North East region with limited information to the local

as well as to the scientific community.


445


Si.

No

G

arc

inia

Sp

ec

ies a

va

ila

-b

le i

n A

ss

am

L

oc

al

na

me

Hab

ita

t F

ruit

s

Eth

no

bo

tan

y

1

Ga

rcin

ia c

ow

a R

oxb

. (G

arc

inia

kydia

Roxb

.)

Ka

u t

heke

ra

(Ass.)

A

n m

idd

le

siz

ed

eve

r-g

ree

n tre

e

Fru

its s

ize

sm

all

ora

ng

e lik

e 4

-5

cm

in

dia

me

ter

glo

bose

bu

t slig

htly t

ap

erin

g a

nd

so

me

wh

at

ob

liqu

e to

wa

rds t

o th

e a

pe

x,

du

ll re

d o

uts

ide

an

d o

rang

e

insid

e w

he

n r

ipe

.

Th

e f

ruits a

re e

dib

le.

Pre

serv

ed

aft

er

sun-d

rie

d s

lice

s in

As-

sa

me

se h

ouse

ho

ld.

Th

e f

ruits a

nd

le

ave

s u

se

d in

dysen

tery

, d

iarr

he

a.

Yo

un

g le

aves a

re e

ate

n b

y h

ill p

eo

ple

of

Assam

. F

ruits a

re a

lso

use

d in

he

ada

ch

e.

2

Ga

rcin

ia lan

ce

ae

folia

R

oxb

. R

up

oh

i th

ek-

era

(A

ss.)

A

sm

all

eve

r-g

ree

n tre

e

Fru

its s

ma

ll o

vo

id a

bou

t 2

cm

. in

dia

me

ter,

ora

ng

e-y

ello

w in

co

lou

r.

Th

e f

ruits a

re a

cid

ic a

nd

ea

ten r

aw

or

dri

ed

, g

ood

fo

r d

yse

nte

ry;

the

gum

resin

is c

alle

d 'g

am

bog

e' i

su

sed

as m

ed

icin

e a

nd

as

ye

llow

dye

; o

il a

nd

ju

ice

of

fru

its a

re c

oolin

g f

or

feve

r, ja

und

ice

a

nd

urin

ary

tro

ub

les.

3

Ga

rcin

ia o

rella

Desr.

K

uji

the

ke

ra

(Ass.)

A

sm

all

mid

-d

le s

ize

d e

v-

erg

ree

n t

ree

Fru

its 1

.5-2

cm

. in

dia

me

ter

glo

bose

or

slig

htly e

lon

ga

ted

, ye

llow

wh

en

in

rip

e.

Th

e f

ruits a

re e

ate

n r

aw

or

drie

d,

goo

d fo

r d

ysen

tery

. A

co

m-

me

rcia

l sou

rce

of 'g

am

bog

e' o

ccu

rs a

s a

ye

llow

ish

co

lou

r; o

il a

nd

ju

ice

of fr

uits a

re c

oo

ling

fo

r fe

ve

r, d

iabe

tes a

nd

ja

un

dic

e

4

Ga

rcin

ia p

an

icu

lata

Roxb

. S

ch

opa

ten

ga

(A

ss.)

, M

arl

o

(K.)

A s

mall

eve

r-g

ree

n tre

e

Fru

its s

ma

ll (3

-41

x1

2-1

5)

cm

in

siz

e,

ch

err

y,

ye

llow

, succu

-le

nt

with

gra

nula

r stigm

a.

Th

e r

ipe

fru

its a

re e

ate

n a

nd

ve

ry d

elic

iou

s. L

ea

ves a

re u

se

d t

o

tre

ate

d r

oun

d-w

orm

. W

oo

d is m

od

era

tely

ha

rd u

sed

fo

r h

ouse

b

uild

ing,

fire

wo

od

(D

utt

a, 1

985

).

5

Ga

rcin

ia p

ed

uncu

lata

R

oxb

. B

or

theke

ra

(Ass.)

, P

ru-

ma

ng (

K.)

An

eve

r g

ree

n

tre

e,

rath

er

sh

ort

sp

rea

d-

ing

bra

nch

es

Fru

its la

rge

, ye

llow

in

colo

ur

wh

en

rip

e.

Ma

ture

fru

its (

7-

8.2

x2

5-2

9.8

) cm

in

siz

e.

Fre

sh

wt.

of

the

ma

ture

fru

its a

v.

50

0gm

s.

Th

e f

ruits a

re a

cid

ic a

nd

edib

le,

pre

se

rve

d a

fte

r su

nd

rie

d fo

r lo

cal co

nsu

mp

tion

. T

he

old

drie

d f

ruits a

re g

oo

d fo

r d

yse

nte

ry,

dig

estive

an

d c

oolin

g.

Th

e f

ruits a

re a

lso

use

d a

s fix

ative

or

as

a m

ord

an

t fo

r sa

ffro

n d

ye

. W

oo

d is h

ard

has p

ote

ntia

l va

lue

u

se

d f

or

ma

kin

g h

ouse

, w

oo

den

fu

rnitu

re a

nd

tra

ditio

na

l ricem

ill

"Dh

eki"

pre

pa

ration

.

6

Ga

rcin

ia x

an

tho

chym

us

Ho

ok.

(Ga

rcin

ia tin

cto

ria

Wig

ht

Ga

rcin

ia p

icto

riu

s

Ro

xb

.)

Te

po

r te

nga

(A

ss.)

A

n e

ve

rgre

en

m

iddle

siz

ed

tr

ee

Fru

its 3

.5-6

cm

.in

dia

me

ter,

su

b g

lobo

se,

poin

ted

, go

lde

n

ye

llow

in

colo

ur

wh

en

rip

e.

Th

e f

ruits a

re a

cid

ic a

nd

edib

le.

Th

e r

ipe

fru

its u

se

d fo

r m

akin

g

jam

s,

de

licio

us c

hu

tne

y in A

ssa

mese

ho

use

hold

. A

s h

erb

mad

e

fro

m r

ipe

ns a

nd

drie

d fru

its a

re g

ive

n in

dysen

tery

. B

ark

of

the

tr

ee

and

la

tex o

f u

nri

pe

fru

its a

re u

se

d t

o m

ake

ye

llow

dye

. W

oods is h

ard

, g

oo

d fo

r m

akin

g h

ouse

.

7.

Ga

rcin

ia a

ssa

mic

a

(th

is n

ew

sp

ecie

s is a

llied

to

G. n

igro

line

ata

)

- A

n s

em

i-e

ve

rgre

en

tr

ee

gro

ws u

p

to a

he

igh

t o

f 1

5m

Fru

its a

re tu

rbin

ate

and

sm

oo

th w

ith

2 to

5 s

ee

ds w

ith

a

ve

rtic

ally

gro

ove

d s

urf

ace

a

nd

tip

ma

mm

illa

te

A n

ew

Ga

rcin

ia s

pe

cie

s fo

und

in

No

rth E

ast In

dia

, it is h

ith

ert

o

kn

ow

n f

rom

th

e typ

e localit

y,

the

se

mi-

eve

rgre

en

fo

rests

in a

nd

a

dja

ce

nt to

Ma

na

s N

atio

na

l P

ark

, A

ssam

, In

dia

. It

se

em

s to

be

ra

re a

nd

is h

ith

ert

o o

nly

kn

ow

n f

rom

ve

ry f

ew

in

div

idu

als

, n

ear

to a

riv

ule

t. T

he

Fru

it is e

dib

le a

nd

is u

se

d f

or

ma

kin

g p

ickle

s b

y

locals

in

Assam

(S

arm

a e

t al., 2

01

6).

Ta

ble

1.

Lis

t o

f G

arc

inia

Sp

ecie

s a

va

ilable

in

Assam

alo

ng

with

loca

l n

am

e,

the

ir h

abita

t, a

nd

eth

no

-bo

tan

y.

Abbre

via

tio

ns: A

ss. fo

r A

ssam

ese a

nd K

. fo

r K

arb

i

446

Plate 1 (a-j): Showing minor and underutilized fruit crops available in Assam.

j. Different Garcinia species available in Assam

Garcinia cowa Garcinia morella Garcinia paniculata

Garcinia pedunculata Garcinia xanthochymus

g). Poniol (Flacourtia jangomos) h). Silikha (Terminilia chebula) i). Jamun (Syzygium cuminii)

d). Amora (Spondius mangifera) e). Leteku (Baccurea sapida) f). Outenga (Dillenia indica)

a). Bael (Aegle marmelos) b). Kordoi (Averrhoa carambola) c). Amlokhi (Phyllanthus emblica)


447

Co

mm

on

or

En

gli

sh

na

me

Scie

nti

fic n

am

e w

ith

Fa

mil

y

Ch

ara

cte

risti

cs

Y

ield

/ tr

ee

O

rig

in a

nd

Dis

trib

uti

on

U

se a

nd

Rem

ark

Anola

P

hylla

nth

thus e

mbelic

a L

Phylla

nth

aceae

Mediu

m s

ized tre

e w

ith s

ma

ll le

aves, fr

uit m

a-

ture

s in J

an –

Fe

b.

1500-

2000nos.

India

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d,

sour,

ric

h in V

it. C

and

Ca,

fruits e

ach w

eig

hs 3

0-5

0 g

(D

eka e

t al.,

2012).

Ber/

Kul

India

n P

lum

/ Juju

be

Zyzy

phus m

auritia

na

Rham

naceae

Th

orn

y t

ree , m

atu

res in J

an –

Fe

b

100kg f

ruits

India

, S

-E C

hin

a M

P, Jhar-

khand,

Odis

ha, W

.B., A

s-

sam

Culti

vate

d,

min

or, g

ood n

utriti

ve v

alu

e,

eate

n f

resh,

15 v

arietie

s a

re th

ere

(R

oy

et al.,

1998).

Bili

mbi/C

ara

mbola

Tre

e S

orr

el

Averr

ohoe c

arr

mbole

L O

x-

ilid

iaceae

Big

tre

e,

elo

ngate

d c

ucum

ber

like fru

its a

re in

clu

ste

r, y

ello

wis

h g

reen w

hen

rip

e,

500 n

os.

Indo-C

hin

a,

Indo-G

enetic p

lain

, A

ssam

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d, sw

eet

and s

our

in t

aste

,

used a

s c

hutn

ey,

hig

h V

it. C

(D

as a

nd P

rakash,

2009).

Gola

p J

am

un

Rose A

pple

Syzg

ium

ja

mbos L

( A

lsto

ne)

Myrt

aceae

A b

ig s

hru

b, sm

all-

to-m

ediu

m-

siz

ed t

ree,

15 m

ht,

with a

tendency t

o lo

w b

ranchin

g.

Rip

e F

ruit

giv

es r

attlin

g s

ound o

n s

hakin

g. T

he s

kin

is t

hin

and w

axy

. T

he f

low

ers

are

lik

e g

uava a

nd it

matu

res in

June-J

uly

.

400 n

os.

South

East A

sia

WB

, A

ssam

, B

ihar,

Jhark

hand, M

eghala

ya

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d.

Hig

h m

edic

inal valu

e.

Th

e r

ipe F

ruit h

as a

str

ong,

ple

asant

rose f

low

er

like s

mell

hence the n

am

e R

ose a

pple

. F

inds

good m

ark

et

(Roy e

t al.,

1998).

Anjir

Fig

Fic

us r

acem

osa L

Mora

ceae B

ig tre

e,

reddis

h f

ruit b

ears

on the tru

nk

100 k

g

Asia

min

or

Assam

, W

B,

Tripu-

ra, M

egh

ala

ya

Dom

esticate

d a

nd w

ild,

apart

fro

m r

ipe F

ruit,

gre

en f

ruits a

re e

ate

n a

s v

egeta

ble

s n

ot m

uch in

use a

s fru

it (

Malik

et al.,

2010).

Karo

nda

Cassia

cara

nda L

Apocyna-

ceae

Shru

b, fr

uits r

ipe in

July

August

10kg

Indo –

Java, th

roughout

India

Min

or,

dom

esticate

d, sour

in t

aste

, rich in

Vit.

C

used a

s c

hutn

ey (

Roy e

t al.,

1998).

Kokam

Mangoste

ne

Garc

inia

mangoste

ne L

Gutt

ifera

e

Mediu

m s

ized tre

e,

dense c

anopy, F

ruit m

a-

ture

s in A

pril- M

ay,

fruits a

re b

err

y,

glo

bose

500 n

os.

Mala

ya W

.B., A

ssam

M

inor,

dom

esticate

d, used f

or

dyin

g a

nd

str

ength

enin

g the c

otton thre

ad o

f fishin

g n

et ,

rich in a

ntio

xid

ants

(M

itra

et

al., 2008b)

Late

ku/ Latk

a

Burm

ese g

rape

Baccaru

ia s

apid

a M

uellA

rg

Euphorb

iaceae

Matu

res in

July

-July

, th

e F

ruit is u

sed f

or

ritu

al

purp

ose d

urin

g t

he H

oly

Chario

t pro

cessio

n o

f

Lord

Jagannath

.

70kg

Burm

a r

egio

n W

B, A

ssam

Meghala

ya,

Trip

ura

Min

or

and d

om

esticate

d,

als

o u

sed a

s m

edic

ine

and w

ine,

edib

le s

eed w

ith p

ulp

y a

ril, e

ate

n

fresh (

Mitra

et

al., 2008a).

Ponio

l

Govorn

or

Plu

m

Fla

ocort

ia in

dic

a M

err

Fla

cort

ia ja

ngom

as

Fla

cort

iaceae

Thorn

y s

hru

bby h

edge,

2m

heig

ht

2-3

kg

India

Assam

, W

est B

engal

Wild

, F

ruits a

re g

enera

lly im

pro

ved b

y r

olli

ngbe-

tween

th

e p

alm

s befo

re e

atin

g; excess e

atin

g

may g

ive n

arc

otic e

ffect

(Sasi et al.,

2018).

Sitaphal

Custa

rd a

pple

Annona s

quam

osa L

An-

nonaceae

Shru

b lik

e t

ree,

with s

mall

leaves, fr

uits h

ave

gritt

y s

tructu

re w

ith g

rain

y p

ulp

, m

atu

res in

Sept-

Oct

100 n

os.

Tro

pic

al A

merica

W.B

., O

dis

ha, Jhar-

khand ,

MP

, A

ssam

etc

.

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d, le

aves h

ave in

secticid

al

pro

pert

ies,

eate

n r

aw

, good t

aste

(R

oy e

t al.,

1998).

Bre

ad f

ruit

Art

ocarp

aus a

ltili

s (

Park

)

Fo

sb M

ora

ceae

Big

tre

e,

like ja

ck f

ruit, la

rge p

innate

le

aves,

late

x

50-8

0

nos.

Mala

yan A

rchip

ela

go L

at-

eritic z

ones o

n I

ndia

Wild

and m

inor,

ric

h in

Ca, beta

caro

tene (

Malik

et

al.,

2010).

Bala

tha

Lasura

Cord

ia m

yxa L

Bora

gin

a-

ceae

Shru

b, th

e F

ruit

matu

re d

uring J

uly

- A

ugust. G

row

in d

iffere

nt agro

- clim

atic

conditi

on; It is

a k

ind o

f a

dru

pe, lig

ht pale

to b

row

n o

r even p

ink in

colo

ur.

Used in

Ayurv

eda. T

ole

rate

arid w

eath

er

20 k

g

Asia

/ A

fric

a

Diffe

rent part

s o

n India

WB

., A

ssam

, A

.P.,

Fully

rip

e F

ruit

is q

uite

sw

eet in

tast

e h

avi

ng m

uci

lagi-

nous

pulp

and is

fully

enjo

yed b

y ch

ildre

n. T

he p

ulp

in

a h

alf

ripe fru

it ca

n e

ven b

e u

sed a

s an a

ltern

ativ

e to

paper glu

e in

offic

e w

ork

(C

hadha, 2001).

Ta

ble

2.

Lis

t o

f so

me

of

the

min

or

and

uncu

ltiv

ate

d f

ruits a

va

ilab

le in

Assa

m.

Co

ntd

…..

.


448

Lata

bel

Passio

n F

ruit

Pla

ssiflo

ra e

dulis

Sim

s

Pla

ssiflo

raceae

Vin

e, sim

ilarity

with p

assio

n f

low

er,

Fru

it is

juic

y w

ith s

eeds h

avin

g a

fla

vour.

Tre

llisin

g

is n

eeded, flo

wers

thro

ughout

the y

ear,

thre

e m

onth

s c

rop

60-8

0

fruits/

vin

e

Bra

zil

W.B

., A

ssam

, M

eghala

ya

Min

or,

dom

esticate

d, good s

ourc

e o

f beta

caro

-

tene, V

it C

and iro

n.

Lesser

know

n.

Giv

es f

ruit-

ing a

fter

10 m

onth

s,

live u

p t

o 6

years

(M

alik

et

al., 2010).

Loquat

Japanese P

lum

E

rio

botr

ya ja

ponic

a L

Rosaceae

Mediu

m s

ized e

ver

gre

en t

ree,

with s

hort

trunk, 10 m

ht, m

atu

res in e

arly s

prin

g ,

sm

all

round s

haped y

ello

w F

ruit

50 k

g

Centr

al C

hin

a, Japan

W.B

., S

tate

s o

f N

-E, A

s-

sam

, T

rip

ura

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d,

eate

n fre

sh,

good taste

(Roy e

t al.,

1998).

Mulb

err

y

Mo

rus a

lba L

Mora

ceae

Sm

all

siz

ed t

ree, sm

all

cylin

drical bla

ck-

reddis

h F

ruit, le

aves u

sed for

feedin

g t

he

silk

mo

th la

rva

3-4

kg

Nort

h C

hin

a

W.B

.,

Assam

, N

-E

sta

tes,

Odis

ha, K

arn

ata

ka

Dom

esticate

d, sm

all

fruits, eate

n b

y s

mall

chil-

dre

n,

good t

aste

birds,

used f

or

jam

fodder

and

gre

en le

af m

anure

(M

alik

et al.,

2010).

Ram

phal

Custa

rd a

pple

Annona r

eticula

ta L

An-

nonaceae

Mediu

m s

ized tre

e,

big

ger

leaves, sm

ooth

Fru

it w

ith h

exagonal m

ark

ings,

gra

iny p

ulp

,

matu

res in

Mar-

April.

80-1

00 n

os.

Tro

pic

al A

merica

W.B

., O

dis

ha, Jhark

hand

,MP

, A

ssam

etc

.

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d, fr

uits a

re e

ate

n r

aw

,

pre

ferr

ed b

y c

hild

ren (

Malik

et al., 2010).

Phals

a

Gre

wia

asia

tica L

Maste

rs

Tili

aceae

Mediu

m tre

e, sm

all

fruits. m

ostly r

elis

hed b

y

sm

all

child

ren,

dro

ught to

lera

nt,

4-8

kg

India

WB

, A

ssam

and O

dis

ha,

Wild

, dom

esticate

d, good m

ark

et price,

used a

s

fille

r pla

nts

in

Mango o

rchard

(R

oy e

t al., 1998).

West In

dia

n C

herr

y

Ma

lphig

ia p

unic

ifolia

L

Malp

hig

iaceae

Mediu

m s

ized s

hru

b,

4 m

ht, w

ithsta

nd

dro

ught

10-1

5 k

g

South

Am

erica

W.B

., A

ssam

,T

rip

ura

Wild

and c

ultiv

ate

d,

richest sourc

es o

f V

it.

C,

lesser

know

n (

Pers

onal com

munic

atio

n w

ith

local people

)

Am

ra

Hog P

lum

Spondiu

s c

yth

era

Sonn

Anacard

iaceae

Decid

uous T

ree,

imm

atu

re f

ruits a

re u

sed in

culin

ary

art

, J

uly

-Aug,

imm

atu

re f

ruits a

re

eate

n in

culin

ary

art

, July

Aug

30 q

uin

tal

Poly

nesia

W.B

., A

ssam

, M

eghala

ya,

Trip

ura

Sour,

used in c

hutn

ey, A

yurv

edic

pro

pert

ies

(Roy e

t al.,

1998).

Anshfa

l Longan

Euphoria

lo

ngan L

am

k

Sapin

daceae

Big

tre

e, m

atu

res in

June, lik

e litchi sm

alle

r

in s

ize b

ut th

e p

ulp

is less.

30kg

Indo B

urm

a R

egio

n A

s-

sam

, W

B, T

rip

ura

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d T

here

are

300 v

arie

tie

s

in C

hin

a,

eate

n f

resh, good t

aste

(C

hadha,

2001).

Bakul/ M

auls

ari

Spanis

h C

herr

y

Mim

usops e

lengi L S

apota

-

ceae

Tre

e w

ith d

ense le

af

canopy, used a

s s

hade

tree in

gard

ens.

Th

e o

range

-red F

ruit is

hairy. M

atu

res in

April –

May.

Sm

all

fruits,

each w

eig

hin

g 1

0-1

5 g

.

10 k

g

South

Asia

WB

, A

ssam

, Jhark

hand,

Trip

ura

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d,

havin

g A

yurv

edic

pro

p-

ert

ies. It is e

ate

n m

ostly b

y c

hild

ren

. T

he w

ood is

extr

em

ely

hard

, str

ong a

nd tough, and r

ich d

eep

red in

colo

r (M

alik

et

al., 2010).

Bata

bi

Pum

ello

Citru

s g

randis

Osbeck

Ruatc

eae

Big

siz

ed f

ruit,5

00g-

1kg

50 n

os.

S-E

Asia

WB

, A

ssam

, O

dis

ha

Dom

esticate

d, sw

eet,

eate

n f

resh, hig

h m

edic

i-

nal valu

e,

use for

de-w

orm

ing in

child

ren

(Chadha,

2001).

Bon A

m/

Wild

Mango H

imala

yan

Mango

Ma

ngifera

sylv

atica A

na-

card

iaceae/ Ir

vin

gia

ceae

Everg

reen t

rees, up t

o 2

5 m

ete

rs, th

reat-

ened s

pecie

s,

Fru

it is v

ery

elo

ngate

d

50 k

g

India

Nepal, A

ssam

, M

eghala

-

ya,

Trip

ura

Main

ly u

sed f

or

jam

, pic

kle

(R

oy e

t al.,

1998).

Chalta/k

ara

mbel

Dill

enia

Dill

enia

in

dia

L D

ille

nia

ceae

Big

tre

e, fib

rous c

aly

x is e

ate

n, m

atu

res in

Jul- A

ug

80-1

00 n

os.

Assam

, W

.B.

Used f

or

chutn

ey (

Pers

onal com

munic

atio

n w

ith

local people

)

Duria

n

Dura

ize b

eth

inus

Bom

baceae

Big

tre

e,

like ja

ck f

ruit s

weet

aril w

ith p

ulp

but

unple

asant

odour

100-2

00 k

g

Burm

a W

.B., A

ssam

,

Odis

ha, M

eghala

ya

Unple

asant sm

ell,

eate

n fre

sh, used a

s jam

,

jelly

, giv

es e

nerg

y (

Malik

et

al., 2010).

Ta

ble

2.

Co

ntd

…..

.

Co

ntd

…..

.


449

Jalp

ai

Oliv

e

Ela

cocarp

us f

lorib

unda

Ela

eocarp

aceae

Mediu

m s

ized tre

e, F

ruit m

atu

res d

urin

g

Sept –O

ct,

Fru

it is lig

ht

gre

en d

rupe,

2 to 5

cm

lo

ng a

nd 1

.5-2

.5 c

m in

girth

. B

oth

ends

of

Fru

it a

re p

oin

ted,

oute

r surf

ace s

mooth

havin

g a

mesocarp

fle

shy

30-4

0 k

g

Madagascar

WB

, A

ssam

, T

ripu-

ra, M

egh

ala

ya

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d, sour,

used a

s c

hutn

ey,

pic

kle

s,

rich in F

e (

Chadha, 2001).

Kayeth

Bael/K

aitha

Ele

phant

apple

Fe

ronia

lim

onea L

Sw

ingle

Ruta

ceae

Big

tre

e, fr

uits h

ave a

hard

cover,

matu

res

Sept-

Oct, s

uccule

nt pla

centa

and inner

pericarp

is e

ate

n

1000 n

os.

India

/ S

ri L

anka

WB

, A

ssam

, Jhark

hand,

Trip

ura

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d, sw

eet

and s

our,

eate

n

as fre

sh C

hutn

ey, cooked a

nd p

ickle

s, bark

has

insecticid

al pro

pert

ies (

Roy e

t al., 1998).

Putu

s

Spanis

h f

lag

Lanta

na c

am

era

Verv

inaceae

Shru

b w

ith s

ma

ll th

orn

s a

round t

he s

tem

. 300g

Centr

al A

merica

WB

, A

ssam

, T

rip

-

ura

,

Invasiv

e a

lien s

p., g

row

n r

oad s

ide, sm

all

fruits

are

edib

le p

refe

rred b

y c

hild

ren,

leaves h

ave

insectic

idal p

ropert

ies (

Pers

onal com

munic

atio

n

with lo

cal people

).

Bael

Sto

ne a

pple

Aegel m

arm

elo

s L

Corr

.

Serr

Ruta

ceae

Big

decid

uous t

ree, ta

kes

11 m

onth

s t

o

matu

re in M

ar-

April, h

avin

g h

ard

shell,

Num

ero

us h

airy s

eeds a

re e

ncapsula

ted in

a s

limy m

ucila

ge,

yello

w p

ulp

, one b

ig F

ruit

may w

eig

h 1

kg

500 n

os.

India

WB

, O

dis

ha, Jhark

hand,

Assam

, la

teritic b

elts o

f

India

,

Wid

ely

used in

Ayurv

edic

medic

ine,

good la

xa-

tive, m

atu

re a

nd im

matu

re F

ruit is e

ate

n,

rip

e

Fru

it e

ate

n f

resh, S

acre

d t

ree for

the H

indus,

thrives w

ell

in e

xtr

em

e h

igh a

nd low

tem

pera

ture

(Chadha,

2001).

Bila

ti A

mra

Hog P

lum

Spondiu

s p

innata

Kurz

Anacard

iaceae

Decid

uous T

ree,

imm

atu

re f

ruits a

re u

sed

in c

ulin

ary

art

, J

uly

-Aug , F

ruit is b

igger

thanS

cyth

era

,

40quin

tal

Tro

pic

al A

sia

WB

, A

ssam

, M

eghala

ya,

Trip

ura

Sw

eet

and s

our,

eate

n r

aw

with s

alt, used in

Chutn

ey,

pic

kle

s, im

matu

re fru

its a

re e

ate

n in

culin

ary

art

, July

-Aug (

Roy e

t al.,

1998).

Imli

Tam

arin

d

Ta

marin

dus in

dic

a L

Legu-

min

oseae

Big

tre

e,2

0-2

5 m

ht, e

longate

d r

ipe f

ruits

matu

res in

Mar-

April, p

rovid

es g

ood s

hade

5-1

0 q

uin

tal

India

Indo

Gangetic

pla

ins, W

.B.,

Assam

, O

dis

ha

Sour

taste

, ra

w c

onsum

ptio

n is less, used in

culin

ary

art

, chutn

ey,

rich in

K,

Ca, P

and V

it C

(Malik

et al.,

2010).

Jangli

Badam

Wild

India

n N

ut

Ste

rculia

foetid

a L

Ste

rcu-

liaceae

Th

e b

ranches a

re w

horle

d a

nd u

sually

horizonta

l, w

ith p

alm

lik

e le

aves g

racefu

lly

up-c

urv

ed a

nd c

row

ded a

t th

e e

nds w

ith

larg

e.

Fru

it is a

n a

ggre

gate

of fo

llicle

of

1-5

,

scarlet, b

oat shaped,

woody.

Th

e s

eeds a

re

edib

le a

fter

toastin

g a

nd t

aste

lik

e c

hest-

nuts

100 n

os.

East

Afr

ica/

Tro

pi-

cal A

sia

WB

, A

ssam

, Jhark

hand

Th

e s

eed c

onta

in o

il used a

s m

edic

ine; th

e tim

-

ber

is u

sed for

makin

g f

urn

iture

and t

he b

ark

for

rope (

Pers

onal com

munic

atio

n w

ith lo

cal peo-

ple

).

Jili

pfa

l/G

anga im

li

Sw

eet

Tam

arin

d

Inga d

ulc

is R

oxb F

abeace

Big

tre

e a

lso k

now

n a

s M

adra

s t

horn

,

dro

ught

resis

tant, g

ives fru

itin

g in

April –

May.

100kg

Me

xic

o/

Centr

al A

merica,

W.B

., B

ihar,

A

ssam

,

Jhark

hand, T

rip

ura

Wild

, fr

uits a

re lik

e t

am

arin

d p

od w

ith r

eddis

h

coatin

g, pulp

is s

pongy, eate

n m

ostly b

y c

hil-

dre

n (

Roy e

t al.,

1998).

Dam

pel/A

san K

andis

Fa

lse M

angoste

ne

Garc

inia

xanth

ochym

us

Hook C

lusia

ceae

Big

tre

e, fr

uits, soft,

light

yello

w,

gro

ws in

axils

of

bra

nches, edib

le a

rils

, poin

ted a

t

rear

end.

30 k

g

India

, B

urm

a

W.B

., A

ssam

, O

dis

ha

Used a

s jam

s,

and c

urr

ies.

Th

e d

ried f

ruit s

ap is

calle

d g

am

boge a

nd p

rovid

es a

dye t

hat is

used

in w

ate

r colo

r pain

ts, m

edic

inal valu

e (

Malik

et

al., 2010).

Ta

ble

2.

Contd

…..

.

Co

ntd

…..

.


450

Jam

un

Wild

Jum

un

Syzy

giu

m c

um

inii

L S

keels

Myrt

aceae

Big

tre

e w

ith d

ense folia

ge p

rovin

g s

hade

alo

ng t

he r

oad s

ide, soft b

lack F

ruit w

ith

skin

and p

ulp

not separa

ble

.

50 k

g

India

Indo G

angetic p

lain

s,

W.B

., A

ssam

, O

dis

ha

Hig

hly

perishable

, eate

n fre

sh, rich in

Iodin

e,

seed is u

sed to c

ure

dia

bete

s, le

aves u

sed a

s

fodder,

one o

f sacre

d fru

its o

f th

e H

indus

(Rath

ore

, 2012).

K

heju

r

Wild

Date

Phonix

sylv

estr

is L

Roxb

Are

caceae

Date

palm

tre

e, th

rives w

ell

in d

rought

con-

ditio

n,

fruits m

atu

res in

May-

June, sm

all

bro

wn

clo

ure

d F

ruit h

avin

g less fle

sh,

50 k

g

India

WB

, A

ssam

, O

d-

isha, Jhark

hand

Wild

cultiv

ate

d a

nd d

om

esticate

d. s

weet

xyle

m

sap is c

olle

cte

d d

urin

g w

inte

r m

onth

s for

makin

g

mola

sses a

nd a

lcoholic

drink (

Chadha,

2001).

Ram

buta

n

Nepheliu

m la

ppaceum

L

Sapin

daceae

Mediu

m s

ized e

ver

gre

en t

ree, m

atu

res in

July

-Sept, e

llip

soid

al F

ruit in

clu

ste

r, lik

e

litchi w

ith s

mall

hairs o

ver

it

aril,

In

donesia

WB

, A

ssam

, M

eghala

ya

Th

reate

ned s

p, E

ate

n fre

sh a

s d

essert

, hig

h v

it.

C u

sed a

s s

yru

p, Juic

y p

ulp

Roy e

t al.,

1998).

Rasbhari

Cape G

ooseberr

y

Physalis

peru

via

na

L S

ola

-

naceae

Herb

, sm

all

seedy b

err

ies w

ith p

apery

ca-

lyx,

resem

blin

g a

min

iatu

re s

pherical yello

w

tom

ato

. it is a

bout th

e s

ize o

f a m

arb

le

about

1–

2 c

m in

dia

mete

r. L

ike a

tom

ato

, it

is b

rig

ht

yello

w

to o

range in

colo

r, g

ood

shelf li

fe

1-2

kg

Peru

/ C

olu

mbia

WB

, A

ssam

, and o

ther

part

s o

f In

dia

Recently intr

oduced a

nd c

ultiv

ate

d in

sm

all

pockets

, rich in V

it C

, used in f

olk

medic

ine,

used a

s jam

(R

oy e

t al.,

1998)

Ta

al

Asia

n P

alm

yra

palm

/

To

ddy p

alm

Bora

ssus f

labelli

fer

L A

re-

caceae

Bra

nch less p

alm

, m

atu

res in J

uly

- A

ug, th

e

rip

ened f

ibro

us o

ute

r la

yer

of th

e p

alm

fru

its

can a

lso b

e e

ate

n r

aw

, boile

d, or

roaste

d.

Imm

atu

re F

ruit is c

ut and thre

e je

lly lik

e

seeds a

re e

ate

n a

fter

rem

ovin

g t

he t

hin

layer.

Th

e w

hite k

ern

el of th

e g

erm

inate

d

seed is a

lso e

ate

n..

200 n

os.

India

n s

ubcontin

ent W

.B.,

Odis

ha, A

ssam

Th

e in

flo

rescence is c

ut

and the x

yle

m s

ap

(ju

ice)

is c

olle

cte

d b

y h

angin

g e

art

hen p

ot. T

he

juic

e s

o c

olle

cte

d e

arly m

orn

ing is a

refr

eshin

g

drin

k a

nd lig

ht

alc

oholic

drink is m

ade f

rom

the

juic

e. R

ipened F

ruit h

as fib

rous o

ute

r la

yer,

tole

rate

dro

ught, e

ate

n f

resh b

y t

ribal people

,

the y

ello

w p

ulp

is p

rocessed (

Malik

et

al., 2010).

Bila

ti G

aab

India

n P

ers

imm

on/ V

elv

et

apple

Dio

spyro

s b

lancoi

A.

D.C

.

Ebenaceae

Dio

ecio

us t

ropic

al tr

ee,

gro

ws

well

from

the s

ea le

vel to

the 2

,400 f

eet

above t

he s

ea level,

Sapota

lik

e f

ruits

with

reddis

h

velv

ety

la

yer,

mediu

m s

ized

80-1

00

nos.

Phili

ppin

es

W.B

.,

Assam

, Jhar-

khand

Wild

and d

om

esticate

d ,

eate

n fre

sh,

tim

er

is v

ery

hard

calle

d iro

n w

ood (

Roy e

t al.,

1998)

Deoa

Monkey J

ack

Art

ocarp

us lakoocha

Ro

xb M

ora

ceae

Big

tre

e.

Th

e o

range

-yello

w m

ale

flo

wers

and r

eddis

h fem

ale

flo

wers

gro

w s

epara

tely

on t

he s

am

e t

rees. V

elv

ety

, dull

yello

w

syncarp

fru

its a

re n

early r

ound o

r irre

gula

r

70 k

g / 2

50

nos.

appro

x.

India

WB

, A

ssam

, T

rip

ura

Sw

eet

sour

pulp

, lik

e jack fru

it,

genera

lly e

ate

n

fresh. U

sed a

s c

hutn

ey.

Each F

ruit c

onta

ins 2

0–

30 s

eeds t

hat

are

fle

shy w

ith t

hin

seed c

oat,

leaves u

sed a

s f

odder

(Chadha,

2001).

Jam

rul/Jam

an

Sta

r A

pple

/ W

ax a

pple

Syzy

giu

m

sam

are

ngense

(Blu

me)

Merr

ill &

Perr

y M

yrt

aceae

Everg

reen

tree

with big

l

eaves,

berr

y b

ell

shaped f

ruit m

atu

res in J

une

-July

(rain

y)

and in

Jan –

Fe

b (

win

ter)

for

se-

cond flu

sh

,

win

ter

fruits a

re s

weete

r th

an r

ain

y s

eason

siz

e v

arie

s

40 k

g, one

big

Fru

it

weig

h 6

0 g

Mala

y,

Andam

an

Isla

nd

W.B

., A

ssam

, T

rip

ura

Fru

its a

re b

ell

shaped, diffe

rent

Colo

rs-p

urp

le,

reddis

h,

white. It d

oes n

ot ta

ste

like a

pple

, fin

ds a

good m

ark

et

(Malik

et

al.,

2010).

Panifal

Wate

r chestn

ut

Tra

pa b

ispin

osa

Cypera

ceae

A flo

atin

g a

quatic p

lant

havin

g

nutlik

e F

ruit a

nd gro

wn

in

low

-

lyin

g w

ate

r bodie

s, m

atu

res in S

ept-

Oct

24 t

/ ha

Afr

ica

WB

, A

ssam

Edib

le c

orm

s, rich in

die

tary

fib

re a

nd

Min

era

ls (

Pers

onal com

munic

atio

n w

ith lo

cal

people

)

Ta

ble

2.

Contd

…..

.

Index-

ht-

Heig

ht in

me

ter,

W.B

.- W

est B

engal sta

te o

f In

dia

, A

P-

Andhra

Pra

desh s

tate

, M

.P.-

Madhya P

radesh s

tate


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Ludwig_Blume

451

Naga tenga (Myrica esculenta) : It belongs to Myri-

caceae family and is commonly known as box berry

or kaphal and Naga tenga in Assam is an important

Indian medicinal plant. The plant is also reported to

have innumerable significant pharmacological activi-

ties like analgesic, anxiolytic, antiallergic, antidiabetic,

antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antiulcer, antioxidant

and anti-inflammatory evaluated by using various ani-

mal models (Sood and Shri, 2018).

Wild jackfruit (Artocarpus hirsutus): It belongs to

the Moraceae family commonly known as wild jack-

fruit. The Artocarpus (Moraceae) comprises about 50

species of evergreen and deciduous trees. The genus

is economically importance as a source of edible Fruit,

timber and folk medicines Artocarpus hirsutus is a tall

evergreen tree, generally 20-25 m in height and up to

5 m in girth; fruits are edible, bright yellow, ovoid cov-

ered with spines, seeds ovoid and white. It required

warm humid climate heavy rainfall and thrived week in

any type of soil (Thomas et al., 2016).

Rattan (Calamus rotang): It belongs to the family

Arecaceae, a shrub-like species found mainly in

coastal swamp forest which is indigenous to South-

west Asia like India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. It is a di-

oecious rattan palm that grows up to 10 m tall. Tradi-

tionally rattan is used as a vermifuge in tribal people in

Assam (Basumatary et al., 2004). Fresh root juice is

used in asthma, insomnia and chronic fever (Patari et

al., 2016). For many years it has assisted in the treat-

ment of various ailments like cough, leprosy and

bleeding disorders whereas leaf sap of this medicinal

plant is generally used for an eye problem (Gupta and

Chaphalkas, 2015).

MINOR AND UNCULTIVATED FRUITS

Considering the importance of conservation and em-

phasizing their importance, brief information regarding

the minor and uncultivated fruits available in Assam

has been mentioned in table 2.

North-East India, more particularly Assam is honoured

with tremendous plant hereditary assets, particularly

underutilized Fruit (UUF) crops. Precise development

of organic product crops is low when contrasted with

all outcrops accessible in the state. These yields are

playing an essential job in giving food security, nour-

ishing security, wellbeing security, business and finan-

cial security to poor masses in rural regions. Their

business significance, dietary status and market es-

teem are obscure to the rustic network. There is a

huge degree to advocate these in non-conventional

zones, and these yields might be helpful crude materi-

als for food handling ventures. Further, the tremen-

dous hereditary assorted variety in different organic

product crops offers a tremendous extension for as-

sortment, preservation, reproducing and improvement

for the advantage of rustic and ancestral networks of

Assam. The expansion in region and creation of these

organic product harvests will give wholesome security,

set aside cash and fare of new organic product har-

vests and lift the locale's economy. These organic

product crops additionally give many-overlap business

openings in agro-based enterprises, bundling, stockpil-

ing, conservation, canning furthermore, transportation.

There are various minor fruits in Assam which have

restorative, remedial and dietary benefit. These are

additionally known for their superb flavour, delicious-

ness and alluring appearance (Barua et al., 2019).

Urban buyers today are getting progressively cogni-

zant and mindful of their wellbeing and nourishing an-

gles. There is an expanded accentuation by govern-

ment and non-government offices to advocated cus-

tomary and normal items. Taking into account all these

ongoing improvements in customary wellbeing areas,

underutilized fruits have splendid advertising prospect

in the coming years. Be that as it may, these heredi-

tary assets of the state are confronting an incredible

danger of termination because of environmental

change, urbanisation and the enormous scope of de-

velopmental projects. Additionally, these fruits have

been ignored for a long time by specialists, strategy

creators and subsidising offices and are as of now a

considerable lot of these are undermined with eradica-

tion (Buragohain, 2011). So, to safeguard the existing

minor fruits of the state and to achieve sustainable

development based on the use of these species is of

immense importance. Organised handling and produc-

tion and value addition for esteem expansion of items

would improve the pay of small and minor ranchers

and business holder and help in on-farm preservation

of these important natural minor fruits.

Conclusion

North-Eastern India is presented with the most amia-

ble climatic conditions for the production of underuti-

lized fruit crops. Other than this quality seeds and

planting material, assortments of these fruit crops

couldn't be produced and traded. The expansion

in area and production of these crops not just give nu-

tritional security and get a good deal on import but also

export of fresh fruits and processed fruit products are

additionally expected to boost the economy of the re-

gion. A large portion of these underutilized

fruit trees established through natural regeneration of

seeds develop gradually with no nutrition; begin bear-

ing fruits after a long gestation period and produce

fruits of substandard quality. Subsequently, these spe-

cies remain disregarded with no commercial signifi-

cance. Notwithstanding, there is further need to set up

field demonstrations to give first-hand exposure to the

farmers for popularising these species.


452

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an overview of the unexplored underutilized fruit crops of

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