Moottikkaa (Baccaurea)

Description:

An intriguing evergreen member of Euphorbiaceae, this tree exhibits dioecy i.e. the male and the female flowers are found on separate plants, and what makes it fascinating is its fruits that grow at the base of the trunk. This earns the tree its Malayalam name, Moottikkaa or Moottapazham. Malayalam - moodu - base of a tree, kaay/pazham - fruit. The fruits are produced on long pendulous stalks and have a three-chambered (characteristic of Euphorbiaceae), white pulp, which turns sweet and juicy as the fruit walls turn from dull green to bright pinkish-red.

Habitat:

Scattered locations within Myristica swamps, Western Ghats.

Notes:

The last image shows the male inflorescences (from a male tree). The tree and fruits are not known to many because of its restricted habitat.