Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa
Vernacular name: Bael, wood apple
Species Name: Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa
Family: Rutaceae
Habit: Perennial, Tree, spinate, Deciduous
Stem: Spiny, aromatic bark, young branches with leaf scars and spines.
Leaf: Compound, Petiolate, Leaflets 3-5, Ovate/lanceolate, sparsely white-pubescent
Flowering: May-June
Flowers: Solitary inflorescence, Greenish white, bisexual flowers, fragrant,
Fruit: Green, turns yellow when ripe, pulp is pale orange, mucilaginous, multiple flat seeds
Uses
- The ‘bengal quince’ is frequently cultivated in the plains for its fruit. The pulp of fresh fruit can be used for making jams or sherbet.
- Dried pulp is used medicinally for the treatment for diarrhoea and dysentery. Also used in paints.
- Fruit sharbat, murabba; sacred leaves for Shiva worship.
- Fruit pulp for diarrhea; leaf decoction for diabetes.
- Trilokiya tree in Mahabharata; offered during Shivratri; tribal remedy for dysentery.
