Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Daniell

 
  • Family : SAPOTACEAE
    (Sapodilla Family)
  • Family (Hindi name) : CHIKOO FAMILY (चीकू फैमिली)
  • Family (as per The APG System IV) : Sapotaceae
  • Synonym(s) : Bakeriella dulcifica (Schumach. & Thonn.) Dubard; Bumelia dulcifica Schumach. & Thonn.; Pouteria dulcifica (Schumach. & Thonn.) Baehni; Richardella dulcifica (Schumach. & Thonn.) Baehni; Sideroxylon dulcificum (Schumach. & Thonn.) A.DC.; Synsepalum glycydora Wernham.
  • Species Name (as per The IPNI) : Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Daniell
  • Habit : Shrub or Tree
  • Comments / notes : Fruit has the unique property of modifying taste perception, making sour or bitter foods taste sweet for about an hour after consumption
  • Key identification features : Slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree, up to 5.5m tall; Leaves simple, alternate, 3-5 leaves clustered at tips of branches, deep green, leathery, elongated, 5-10cm long; Flowers small, about 2.5cm long, white, borne in clusters in leaf axils; Fruit small, fleshy, bright red, berry, ellipsoidal, 2-3cm long, single-seeded, sweet with mild, pleasant aftertaste.
  • Flower, Fruit : April-September
  • Distribution :
    • Karnataka : Bengaluru Urban district, Bengaluru Rural district
  • Native : Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria
  • Exotic/Native : Exotic
  • World Distribution : W. & W. Central Tropical Africa
  • Literature :
    • K.Ravikumar, A.C.Tangavelou, & Navendu Page. (2021). Seed plants of Karnataka, India: A concise dictionary. FRLHT-TDU, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Chennai.
  • Read more :
  • Permalink : https://indiatrees-ces.iisc.ac.in/plants.php?name=Synsepalum dulcificum
  • Citation : Sankara Rao, K., Deepak Kumar (2026). India Trees and Vegetation Types. Synsepalum dulcificum. Downloaded on 3 October 2026.

Distribution District wise

India Distribution

World Distribution

GBIF Distribution

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