Dillenia indica (Elephant Apple, Simpoh Air, Simpoh Kuning, Simpuh, Chalta, Indian Simpoh, Chimpoh, Simpoh, Simpor, Peradun, Tipor)
Botanical Information
| Family | Dilleniaceae |
| Genus | Dillenia |
| Species | indica |
| Synonyms | Dillenia speciosa, Dillenia yunnanensis |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Tree (deciduous) |
| Origin | India, China, Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Edible fruit. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 9b - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H3 - H1c |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | - 3.8 - above 4.5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 25 - 40 |
| Height | 16 - 30 m |
| Growth | Medium |
Description and Growing Information
| Landscape | It is suitable for gardens, parks, streetscapes (not too near the road, as the fruits are big, round and heavy), and riverine parks. |
| Propagation | By seed. |
| Cultivation | Full sun in well-drained and moist soils but drought tolerant. |
| Notable Specimens | Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand. |
| Habitat | It grows along forest streams and rivers up to 500 m altitude. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Peeling, flaky, reddish brown in colour. |
| Leaf Description | Alternate, stalked leaves with toothed leaf blades that are 10-35 by 5-13 cm, with many parallel secondary veins. |
| Flower Description | 15-20 cm wide, with yellowish-green sepals, and white petals, opening at night and fading by noon. |
| Fruit Description | Round aggregate fruit, with persistent fleshy sepals, 10-15 cm in diameter. |
Photographs
Dillenia indica, form, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Dillenia indica, leaf, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Dillenia indica, form, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.
Dillenia indica, bark, Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae Hia, Thailand.