Lipote (Seedling) Fruit Plant

Lipote (Syzygium curranii) is a tree growing up to 15 meters tall. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of wood. Lipote is found in primary forests in the Philippines and at medium altitudes. It is also not a very commonly found plant. The fruits are borne in compact clusters, each fruit is about 20mm in diameter and would become darker as it ripens. The ripest is black or very dark in color and has a rather dry but pleasant acid flavor. It is eaten ripe and raw. Flowers are borne in clusters on the trunk and branches. Lipote is not cultivated as an orchard fruit but its trees if found growing by chance around homes, are protected and maintained for fruits. New plants of lipote can easily be raised from seed as well as grafting. Lipote is a good fruit worth promotion. Unfortunately, like many other wild fruits, the natural population of lipote trees is also declining. This should be a matter of concern for state agencies and this plant should be included in different tree plantation projects to save it from extinction.

Lipote Benefits:

• Used for making wine and a beverage is also made from it.
• Preserved in the form of candies, compote, jelly or jam.
• It can also be used in making pickles and fruit pies.
• The fruit is believed to have high antioxidant content and is also good for treating hypertension, diabetes, or high sugar level in the blood.