Flacourtia indica (Governors plum)
Botanical name: Flacourtia indica
Common names: Governors plum, Madagascar Plum, Batoko palm
Family: Salicaceae (Formerly:Flacourtiaceae)
Origin: Tropical Africa, Madagascar and Asia
Flacourtia indica or Governors plum is a very hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures in cold regions to 30s °F (USDA Zone: 10-11) for a short time. It can grow 5 to 10 feet tall as a shrub or 10 to 20 feet tall as a small tree. Full sun and regular watering will keep this plant at its best, with occasional deep watering to simulate natural wet periods in its native areas. It is a large shrub or small tree with a wide crown, dark and glossy leaves and either thorny or spiny branchlets, depending on the cultivar.
Governors plum produces one to two harvests of fruit a year. The fruits, when ripe, are red, deep-red, or purple, resembling a plum. They are about one inch wide and contain one or two seeds. They are sweet and sour, with a texture and flavor similar to a plum. Besides having delicious fruits, Governors Plum is packed with vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C and magnesium, and is full of antioxidants, which greatly helps in fighting inflammation, cholesterol, and diabetes. It can be eaten fresh, dried, or made into preserves and jellies.
