Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit) Limonia acidissima
Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit) (Limonia acidissima) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Rutaceae family, native to India and Sri Lanka; long cultivated in Myanmar, Thailand and Indochina. It grows 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
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Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Mature height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 46 °C (115 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit pulp (sweet-sour, aromatic; raw with sugar, chutneys, drinks) |
| Native to | India and Sri Lanka; long cultivated in Myanmar, Thailand and Indochina |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the branches are spiny.
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 Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Sweet orange: Asian citrus psyllid spreads huanglongbing (citrus greening) between citrus and relatives such as orange jasmine (Murraya). Keep new citrus away from infected or neglected hosts. Evidence B
Questions about Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit)
- How far apart should I plant Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit)?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit) flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit) 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; the branches are spiny.
- What grows well with Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wood apple (elephant apple, ma-khwit). 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
- eFlora of India, eFlora of India / Botanical Survey of India contributors
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
Notes and assumptions
- Slow, spiny, very drought-hardy tree of dry zones. The hard-shelled, ball-shaped fruit is cracked open to scoop out brown, pungent pulp. Syn. Feronia limonia.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lemon tree (dwarf) Citrus limon
- Curry tree Murraya koenigii
- Kaffir lime Citrus hystrix
- Common rue Ruta graveolens
- Sweet orange Citrus x sinensis
- Mandarin orange Citrus reticulata
- Persian lime Citrus x latifolia
- Key lime Citrus x aurantiifolia