Dillenia indica
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64401711dfce4323315069 |
| Scientific name | Dillenia indica |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 535 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
According to Choudhury et al. (2013), the Garo people of Bangladesh boil sliced fruit of Dillenia indica in water for 10–15 minutes and drink the decoction to stop diarrhoea. In the Naga communities of Manipur, India, Sharma et al. (2016) report that fresh leaves are steeped in hot water for 5–10 minutes and the infusion is taken to soothe a cough. The Khasi of Meghalaya also crush the same leaves and apply the mash directly to swollen joints as a poultice (Sarkar et al., 2014), while Kiew (2020) describes northern Thai folk practice of simmering the fruit in water for twenty minutes to make a mild tea used to reduce fever.
For a simple, safe home preparation, use about 30 g of fresh fruit (or 15 g of dried slices) and add it to 250 ml of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let the decoction steep for an additional 5 minutes before straining. A single cup can be drunk two or three times a day. Avoid the tea during pregnancy because high‑dose fruit preparations may stimulate uterine activity, and excessive amounts can cause stomach irritation.
The fruit is rich in vitamin C, hydrolyzable tannins such as gallotannins, and flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol, while the leaves contain citric and malic acids. These compounds account for the astringent, antioxidant and mild anti‑inflammatory actions that support the traditional use of the infusion for coughs and the decoction for diarrhoea.
Modern research is catching up: Kumar et al. (2015) showed that aqueous extracts of the fruit reduce experimentally induced diarrhoea in rats, and a 2022 review highlighted the potential of its tannins for anti‑inflammatory activity. The fruit remains a staple in local markets—sold as fresh produce, jams and pickles—and the leaf tea continues to be prepared in village homes, keeping the ethnobotanical heritage of Dillenia indica alive while scientists explore its therapeutic possibilities.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
The fruit pulp of Dillenia indica is used as a souring agent in culinary preparations, including chutneys, curries, pickles, and traditional fish dishes in parts of South and Southeast Asia. It is processed into ketchup-like products and blended into sauces, fruit jellies, and syrups. The fruit is characterized by high acidity and mucilaginous polysaccharides, which provide a distinctive sourness and thickening/gelling properties suitable for savory products. In some regions it is also candied. These attributes make the pulp useful as an ingredient for souring and texturizing rather than as a primary flavor carrier.
Properties relevant to use:
The pulp exhibits high titratable acidity and substantial mucilage, conferring sourness and thickening/gelling capacity suitable for culinary applications. Seed and pulp contain pectic substances that support jellying. This chemical profile enables the pulp to function as a souring agent and a natural thickener/stabilizer in jams, chutneys, ketchup-like sauces, and similar products.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Dillenia elongata | Miq. | Fl. Ned. Ind. 1(2): 12 (1858) |
| Dillenia indica f. elongata | (Miq.) Miq. | Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 4: 79 1868 |
| Dillenia speciosa | Thunb. | Trans. Linn. Soc. London 1: 200 (1791) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | elephant apple |
| English | hondapara tree |
| English | indian catmon |
| English | chulta |
| Arabic | ديلنيا هندية |
| Assamese | ঔ টেঙা |
| Bengali | চাইলতে |
| Bengali | চালিতা |
| Bengali | চালতা |
| German | indischer rosenapfel |
| Persian | سیب فیلی |
| Finnish | intiandillenia |
| Hungarian | pompás dillénia |
| Indonesian | jongi |
| Japanese | ビワモドキ |
| jv | apel gajah |
| Kannada | ಬೆಟ್ಟಕಣಿಗಲು |
| Korean | 딜레니아 |
| Malayalam | മലമ്പുന്ന |
| mnw | သပြု၊ တၞံ |
| Burmese | သပြုပင် |
| Oriya | ଓଉ |
| Polish | ukęśl indyjska |
| Polish | ukęśla indyjska |
| Portuguese | maçã de elefante |
| Portuguese | Árvore da pataca |
| Portuguese | Árvore do dinheiro |
| Portuguese | Árvore-da-pataca |
| Portuguese | Árvore-do-dinheiro |
| Portuguese | dilênia |
| Portuguese | flor de abril |
| Portuguese | flor-de-abril |
| Portuguese | maça de elefante |
| Portuguese | maçã-de-elefante |
| Russian | Слоновое яблоко |
| Slovenian | slonje jabolko |
| Tamil | உவா மரம் |
| Tamil | யானை ஆப்பிள் |
| Tamil | பாங்கர் |
| Tamil | ஓமை |
| Telugu | రేవడిచెట్టు |
| Telugu | పెద్దకళింగ |
| Thai | มะตาด |
| Urdu | سیب فیلی |
| Chinese | 第倫桃 |
| Chinese | 五桠果 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
West-central Tropical Africa
- Gulf Of Guinea Islands
-
Western Indian Ocean
- Comoros
- Mauritius
- Réunion
-
West-central Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China South-central
- China Southeast
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
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Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Borneo
- Jawa
- Malaya
- Philippines
- Sumatera
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Pacific click to expand
-
Northwestern Pacific
- Caroline Islands
-
Northwestern Pacific
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Caribbean
- Cuba
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Windward Islands
-
Western South America
- Ecuador
-
Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000647564 |
| USDA Plants | DIIN6 |
| Tropicos | 10900002 |
| INPN | 447112 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316684-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2768269 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 244320 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 4378 |
| IUCN Red List | 61994577 |
| IPNI | 316684-1 |
| iNaturalist | 327691 |
| GBIF | 5383898 |
| Freebase | /m/02x8lf0 |
| EPPO | DLNIN |
| EOL | 396514 |
| USDA GRIN | 14122 |
| Wikipedia | Dillenia_indica |
| CMAUP | NPO21691 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes | |||||
| (10S)-10-[(9R)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-methyl-10-oxo-9H-anthracen-9-yl]-1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-10H-anthracen-9-one | 44567184 | Click to see | 494.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthracenecarboxylic acids and derivatives / Anthracenecarboxylic acids | |||||
| 4-hydroxy-9,10-dioxo-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(oxalooxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyanthracene-2-carboxylic acid | 11972451 | Click to see | 518.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rhein | 10168 | Click to see | 284.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| rhein 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 5320961 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sennidin A | 92826 | Click to see | 538.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sennoside A | 73111 | Click to see C1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C4=C(C2C5C6=C(C(=CC=C6)OC7C(C(C(C(O7)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C8=C5C=C(C=C8O)C(=O)O)C=C(C=C4O)C(=O)O | 862.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sennoside C | 46173829 | Click to see C1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C4=C(C2C5C6=C(C(=CC=C6)OC7C(C(C(C(O7)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C8=C5C=C(C=C8O)C(=O)O)C=C(C=C4O)CO | 848.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones | |||||
| 8-((6-O-beta-D-Glucopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy)-1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylanthraquinone | 5320543 | Click to see | 608.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Aloe emodin | 10207 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Aloe-emodin-glucoside | 147295 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Chrysophanein | 6324923 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Chrysophanol | 10208 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Physcion | 10639 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pulmatin | 442731 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)O)C(=O)C3=C(C2=O)C=CC=C3OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 416.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rheochrysin | 168938 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones | |||||
| Emodin | 3220 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Emodin 1-O-beta-D-glucoside | 5319333 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C4=C(C2=O)C=C(C=C4O)O | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Emodin-8-glucoside | 99649 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids | |||||
| Gallic Acid | 370 | Click to see | 170.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters | |||||
| [(2S)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 51543740 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OCC(CO)O | 244.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 6-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose | 5317463 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)O)O)O)O | 332.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methyl Gallate | 7428 | Click to see | 184.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| 9-Hydroxy-5a,5b,8,8,11a-pentamethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysene-3a-carbaldehyde | 317607 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C=O | 440.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Betulinic Acid | 64971 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYMED.2009.07.010 |
| Lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid, 3beta-hydroxy- | 2371 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYMED.2009.07.010 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Alpha amino acids / L-alpha-amino acids | |||||
| (2S)-5-amino-2-ammonio-5-oxopentanoate | 6992086 | Click to see | 146.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| 1-[1-hydroxy-3-methyl-8-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxynaphthalen-2-yl]ethanone | 5319972 | Click to see | 378.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1-[1,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-8-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxynaphthalen-2-yl]ethanone | 100753 | Click to see | 394.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-(7-acetyl-8-hydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylnaphthalen-1-yl)oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-2-oxoacetic acid | 5321979 | Click to see CC1=CC2=CC(=CC(=C2C(=C1C(=O)C)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)COC(=O)C(=O)O)O)O)O)OC | 480.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-methyl-4-oxo-7-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromene-5-carboxylic acid | 5315687 | Click to see | 382.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| gallic acid 4-O-beta-D-(6'-O-galloy)glucoside | 11972354 | Click to see | 484.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Raspberryketone glucoside | 5320521 | Click to see | 326.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Torachrysone 8-O-Glucoside | 11972479 | Click to see | 408.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Monosaccharides / Hexoses | |||||
| [(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate | 11972309 | Click to see | 310.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Chromones | |||||
| [(2S)-7-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-5-yl]acetic acid | 5319543 | Click to see | 236.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4H-1-Benzopyran-4-one, 5-acetyl-7-hydroxy-2-methyl- | 5315891 | Click to see | 218.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Hydroxy-2-[(2S)-2-hydroxypropyl]-5-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 45272307 | Click to see | 234.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-5-acetic acid | 14429402 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O1)O)CC(=O)O | 234.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-5-carboxylic acid | 5315688 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O1)O)C(=O)O | 220.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cassiachromone | 5319500 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O1)O)CC(=O)C | 232.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids | |||||
| 3,3'-Digalloylprocyanidin B2 | 124016 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C34)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)OC(=O)C6=CC(=C(C(=C6)O)O)O)O)O)C7=CC(=C(C=C7)O)O)OC(=O)C8=CC(=C(C(=C8)O)O)O | 882.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| procyanidin B1 3-O-gallate | 12795888 | Click to see | 730.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins / Catechin gallates | |||||
| (-)-Epicatechin gallate | 107905 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C21)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)OC(=O)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)O)O)O | 442.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Dillenetin | 5487855 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)OC | 330.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19750000612 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| (+)-Catechin-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 6324898 | Click to see | 452.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| Rhapontigenin | 5320954 | Click to see | 258.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes / Stilbene glycosides | |||||
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[4-[(E)-2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]phenoxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 5322088 | Click to see | 542.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| resveratrol-4'-O-(2''-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside | 10325054 | Click to see | 542.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Resveratroloside | 5322089 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC2=CC(=CC(=C2)O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O | 390.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rhaponticin | 637213 | Click to see | 420.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins | |||||
| 1,2,6-Tri-O-Galloyl-Beta-D-Glucose | 440308 | Click to see | 636.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1,6-bis-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose | 440221 | Click to see | 484.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1,6-di-O-galloyl-2-O-cinnamoyl-beta-D-glucose | 6325082 | Click to see | 614.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| beta-D-Glucopyranose, 2-((2E)-3-phenyl-2-propenoate) 1-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate) | 5315898 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| beta-Glucogallin | 124021 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 332.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |