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Crimson tidings

Sour fruit Ripe Muttikkais

It may taste sour, but the spectacular sight of crimson red Muttikkai fruit hanging from the tree is a sight for sore eyes. Muttikkai or Moottilkkaippan is a less known, wild, edible and endemic fruit tree found throughout the South Western Ghats.

This time of the year is the fruiting season for the Muttikkai, only a few of which can be found in the city. In areas like Neyyar, that are close to the forests, local vendors sell the fruit.

A member of Euphorbiaceae family and cousin of the gooseberry, the tree is scientifically named as Baccaurea courtallensis. It is a medium tree growing to a maximum height of eight to 10 metres and is generally inconspicuous until it flowers.

Muttikkai comes into the limelight only when in full bloom during February-March and during fruiting season in May-June. It is cauliflorous in nature which means that it produces flowers and fruits from the main stem. When the tree attains maturity, nodules appear on main stem from where crimson red flowers bloom. Male and female flowers are produced in separate stalks of same tree.

Crimson red fruits are arranged in racemous stalks and hang in symmetric clusters. Fruit clusters are seen throughout the trunk from base upwards. Fruits are produced even on exposed roots. Fruits produced from basal nodules hang down and touch the ground; hence the name ‘Moottilkkaippan.’

The fruit, when ripe, is edible but sour with red skin and white pulpy flesh with four to five tiny seeds. It is also used for making pickles.

Tribals harvest the fruit for food and for preparation of folk medicines. A common tree in Silent Valley forests, the fruit is the favourite of lion tailed macaques and elephants. The timber is yellowish white in colour and is a soft wood.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural recourses (IUCN) has enlisted the Muttikkai as a threatened species in it’s red data book and requires special conservation measures.

Propagation of the Muttikai, which has great ornamental potential, is mostly by means of seeds and seedlings grow well in humus rich soil without needing much care and attention. The tree starts bearing fruits from eighth to tenth year onwards.

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