Mimusops elengi L.
Vernacular name: Bakul, Spanish cherry, Bullet wood (Hindi: बकुल)
Species Name: Mimusops elengi L.
Family: Sapotaceae
Habit: Medium evergreen tree
Stem: Erect trunk 9–18 m high, 1 m girth, greyish-black scaly bark with longitudinal cracks.
Leaf: Simple, alternate, elliptic-oblong 6–14 × 3–7 cm, glabrous, shiny green, short-petiolate.
Flowering: Throughout year, peaking in summer.
Flowers: Axillary cymes, 2–11-flowered; cream, fragrant, hairy; calyx 8 lobes (outer 4 ovate-lanceolate 5–7 mm, inner narrower); corolla 24 lobes in 2 series (outer 16 linear-oblong 10–14 mm, inner 8 shorter); 8 stamens with short filaments (anthers twisted), 8 staminodes; hairy 6–8 locular ovary, grooved style.
Fruit: Ovoid fleshy berry 2–4 cm, yellow-brown, with 1 large brown seed.
Uses:
- Timber valued for durable furniture, carts, and construction.
- Flowers yield perfume; edible fruit pulp.
- Bark/flower astringent for dental care and wounds.
- Sacred to Krishna (gopi garland); Mughal court perfume; temple avenue tree.
