Dillenia indica, commonly known as elephant apple, is a large tropical tree native to South and Southeast Asia. It grows along rivers and in moist forests, producing big, round fruits with thick, fleshy sepals that are used in chutneys, jams, and traditional remedies. The tree is also admired for its striking white flowers and bold, toothed leaves.
However, the name “elephant apple” can be confusing—it’s also used for other species like Limonia acidissima, which belongs to a completely different plant family. While both produce hard-shelled fruits and are used in similar ways, they are botanically unrelated. To avoid mix-ups, it’s best to refer to them by their scientific names.
Names
Scientific
Dillenia indica
English
Elephant apple
Taxonomy
Order
Dilleniales
Family
Dilleniaceae
Genus
Dillenia
Species
Dillenia indica (Elephant apple)