Dillenia indica

(Elephant apple)

Description

This Asian species has leathery leaves with prominent lateral veins which are almost parallel to one another and the margin is toothed. The white flowers are large with numerous stamens and the numerous styles radiate out from the top of the ovary like spokes or as some say ‘resemble a daisy’. The large fleshy fruit, may be 10-12 cm in diameter, is made up of the large fleshy sepals which tightly enclose the true fruit. The fruit is fairly inedible but when cooked has been used as a vegetable. There are several specimens near in the creek in the centre of the campus.