Flacourtia inermis

Flacourtia inermis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Salicaceae
Genus:	Flacourtia
Species:	F. inermis
Binomial name
Flacourtia inermis (Burm. f.) Merr.

Flacourtia inermis, known commonly as lovi-lovi, or batoko plum, is a species of flowering plant native to the Philippines, but which has naturalized in tropical Asia and Africa. This tree is very common in the South India;especially in Kerala where it is commonly known as loika or lavalolikka.^[1]

Description

This is a medium-sized spineless tree that may grow up to 15 meters. The mature leaves are oblong and elliptic in shape and glossy on the upper side, with a toothed margin. They are about 8 to 20 centimeters long and 3 to 15 centimeters wide. The young leaves are bright orange to reddish in color, turning green as they mature.

The fruits are produced in bunches and resemble cherries. The fruit is round and shiny, turning from light green to a deep red colour upon ripening. Each fruit measures 1 to 3 centimeter in diameter. The flesh is crunchy but sour and acidic in taste. The fruits are edible but generally not eaten fresh but made as jams, preserves, and syrups. Its fruit is rich in an antimicrobial agent-2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

^{[5] [6]}

Relatives

The family Salicaceae includes well-known species such as kei apple (Dovyalis caffra), paniala (F. jangomas), and rukam (F. rukam).

Notes

1. George Shibumon and Benny P J (2010) “Antifungal activity of acetonic extract of Flacourtia inermis fruit against human opportunistic pathogens” Journal of Global Pharma Technology. 2(6):28-34.
2. Shibumon George, Benny PJ, Sunny Kuriakose, Cincy George (2011) "Antibiotic activity of 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid isolated from Flacourtia inermis fruit against multidrug resistant bacteria" Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research.4(1):126-130.
3. George Shibumon, Benny PJ, Kuriakose Sunny, George Cincy, Gopalakrishnan Sarala (2011) "Antiprotozoal activity of 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid isolated from the fruit extracts of Flacourtia inermis Roxb" Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries.3(3):237- 241.
4. Benny PJ, George Shibumon, Kuriakose Sunny, George Cincy (2010) "2, 3-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid: An Effective Antifungal Agent Isolated from Flacourtia inermis Fruit" International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research.2(3): 101-105
5. Flacourtia inermis
6. Louvi