Terengganu Cherry (Layering) Fruit Plant

Terengganu Cherry (Lepisanthes Alata) is a medium-sized shady tree that can grow up to 10 meters. This species origin is from South East Asia and uses as ornamental plants in garden landscapes. Common names are Ceri Terengganu, perupok, pokok Johor, belimbing cina, kelelek, gegelek, Chinese Averrhoe, Malaysian Lepisanthes, Kurumei, Engkili, Rambai Istana, Ya Ho. A rare attractive tree with young purple leaves turning to green and purple-red flower clusters. The globosely fruits with 3 to 4 seeds are bright red. The mature leaves of perupok are green with 8 to 12 leaflets, with inflorescences up to 55 cm long. However, the flowers and fruits do not have specific seasons but can occur throughout the year. The scentless, pink to purple flowers grow on inflorescences, mostly unisexual, male, and female growing on the same branch with short stems.

The Terengganu Cherry is a globose berry, about 2 to 3cm in diameter. It grows in large clusters of 20 fruits that are a shiny, deep red with a pointed tip. Although it is sweet, a little tart with 3 seeds per fruit. The flesh is yellow, sweet, and crunchy and the skin can be astringent if not fully mature. Birds eat the fruits, therefore this fruit plant can attract birds to the garden. When mature, Pick in clusters when the fruits turn to a deep red. If too young, the thin, outer skin is astringent or dries out the mouth. Terengganu Cherry trees are often found in the tropical jungles of Southeast Asia with sandy to heavy clay soils.

Terengganu Cherry Benefits:

• 100g of Terengganu Cherry contains 77.7% moisture, 9.5% dietary fiber, 0.8% sugar, 16mg of Vit C.
• Beneficial for protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.
• Treatment of cerebral malaria, fever with vertigo, chest pain, nosebleed and to relieve muscular spasm.
• The young leaves are cooked and eaten as vegetables in South Thailand.