Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) Spondias pinnata
Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) (Spondias pinnata) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Anacardiaceae family, native to India and Sri Lanka to southern China, Indochina and western Malesia. It grows 10–25 m (33–82 ft) tall and 6–12 m (20–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 m (33–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (sour; raw with chilli salt, pickles, chutney), young leaves (sour, eaten raw with nam phrik) |
| Native to | India and Sri Lanka to southern China, Indochina and western Malesia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
Is Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Hog plum (ma-kok, amra)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Hog plum (ma-kok, amra)
- How far apart should I plant Hog plum (ma-kok, amra)?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–12 m (20–39 ft).
- Does Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Hog plum (ma-kok, amra)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Hog plum (ma-kok, amra) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Hog plum (ma-kok, amra)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hog plum (ma-kok, amra). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- eFlora of India, eFlora of India / Botanical Survey of India contributors
Notes and assumptions
- Dry-season deciduous: bare for a few weeks before the new leaves and flowers. Fast-growing; often grown from big cuttings as a living fence post.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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