Flacourtia rukam (Rukam)

Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) with many round green fruit on branches for a plant close up.
Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) clusters of round green fruit hanging on the thin woody tree branches.

Botanical names: Flacourtia rukam, Flacourtia euphlebia

Common name: Rukam

Family: Salicaceae    (Formerly:Flacourtiaceae)

Origin: Malaysia

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-10

Plant type: Fruit or edible
Fruit type: Fruit or edible
Small tree 10-20 ftPlant form: Small tree
Plant mature sizeMature height: 10-20 ft
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyWatering: Regular
Yellow, orange flowersFlower color: Yellow, orange
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

Rukam (Flacourtia rukam) is a tropical fruit tree that is native to Southeast Asia, but has also been introduced to Thailand and India. It grows best in USDA Zone 9-11 and thrives in humid conditions. The tree can be grown in a container and should be placed in a location with full sun or partial shade, and given regular watering. It is recommended to fertilize the tree with a slow-release fertilizer twice a year in the spring and summer, and to prune it selectively to control its shape and size. The tree can reach a height of 10-20 feet when fully mature.

Rukam is known for its abundant yellow and orange flowers which attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The tree also produces an edible fruit that is light green to pink or purplish-green to dark red in color, with a whitish, juicy, and acidic pulp. The ripe fruit can be eaten raw or used in dishes such as rujak (a fruit salad with spicy sauce), pickled, or made into jam or confectionaries. The young leaves of the tree are also edible and can be eaten raw in side dishes.

In addition to being an ornamental plant, Rukam is also used in traditional medicine. The young leaves, fruits, and roots of the tree are used to treat a variety of ailments. A root decoction is taken by women after childbirth, and the juice of the leaves is applied to inflamed eye lids. Rukam trees can produce a large amount of fruit, with some varieties producing up to 500 fruits in a season. These fruit are not only tasty, but are also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Similar plants: Flacourtia rukam (Rukam)


Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) green fruit hanging from a thin branch in a close up.
Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) clusters of round green fruit growing along a thin wooden branch.
Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) green fruit on a plant with narrow shiny pointed leaves
Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) green fruit hang on branches among slender pointed foliage
Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) with round green fruit on a branch in a close up.
Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) with clusters of round green fruit growing on a woody branch.
Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) tree with green leaves and reddish new growth on branches
Flacourtia rukam (Rukam) showing a dense canopy of green foliage and light reddish tips


Link to this plant:
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