"Lovi-lovi" (Flacourtia inermis Roxb.), a promising fruit introduced in the Philippines

Issue Date

8-2015

Abstract

The "lovi-lovi" (Flacourtia enermis Roxb.) also known as thornless rukam or governor plum is a member of the family Flacourtiaceae. It was introduced from Sumatra, Indonesia by Dr. Roberto E. Coronel in 1987. The evaluated tree was planted in 1998 and fruited for the first time in 2002. Morphological characterization of the tree, leaf and seed was conducted for 3 yr. A fruiting tree of "lovo-lovi" is 6.51 m high with a canopy spread of 6.70 m. The tree may produce fruit all year round, but the peaks of harvest season occur in June to July and October to November with a total yield of 30,00o fruits yrˉ¹. The tree is vigorous with a trunk diameter of 20.5 cm, and the mature leaves are dark green, obovate, glabrous, wiyh very short petioles. Fruits are glubose berry, of small size (4.35 g) with dark purple (RHCC N 186 A) and thin peel, copper brown, flesh (RHCC 175 A) that is sub-acid to sweet, relatively high edible portion (61.27%) and with many but small, dark purple (RHCC 187 A) seeds. The tree is a new species adapted to the Philippine conditions and considered a good source of nutrients.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

40

Issue

2

Page

85-90

Document Type

Article

Frequency

tri-quarterly

Physical Description

tables, pictures

Language

English

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