Stelechocarpus burahol
| Stelechocarpus burahol | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific name | Stelechocarpus burahol |
| Common names | Keppel apple; kepel |
| Genus | Stelechocarpus |
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Order | Magnoliales |
| Fruit type | Berry |
| Growth form | Evergreen tree |
| Native range | Malesia, with the checked secondary account specifically describing Java habitat |
| Mature size | Up to about 25 m; site-dependent |
| Years to fruit | N/A — no dependable species-appropriate first-fruiting value located |
Stelechocarpus burahol is the accepted scientific-name entry for keppel apple. The article keeps species facts, cultivar or form-level claims, and unresolved evidence limits separate.
Description
Stelechocarpus burahol is an evergreen Annonaceae tree known as kepel or keppel apple. It bears round fruit directly on the trunk and larger branches, a cauliflorous habit that distinguishes it from many commonly grown custard apples. [2] [3]
Distribution and habitat
The checked source describes the species from Malesia and specifically reports deep, moist clay soils in secondary forest in Java, including sites among bamboo clumps. It places the plant in lowland moist tropics to about 600 m. The evidence is too limited to define a complete native range or a universal elevation limit. [3]
Cultivation
Soil and water
Use fertile, moisture-retentive, acid soil with reliable drainage. The reported deep clay habitat indicates substantial moisture availability and organic matter, not permanently stagnant roots. In a container, use a deep, airy medium and avoid standing water. [3]
Sun and humidity
Full sun or light shade is reported. Young trees benefit from protection while establishing, particularly where dry air or reflected heat increases water loss. No numeric humidity requirement was verified; warm, humid air is the safer translation of the lowland habitat.
Seasonal changes
The sources do not establish a dependable wet/dry flowering calendar, harvest month, dormancy pattern, or first-fruiting age. Keep the root zone evenly moist through active growth and do not convert the absence of a dry-season record into a claim that the tree requires year-round saturation.
Propagation
Fresh seed from mature fruit is the principal documented method; the source account says germination may take many months even though a high proportion may eventually emerge. Softwood cuttings are also mentioned, but no reliable success rate was located. [3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest
The round fruit is borne on the trunk and is reported at about 5–6 cm in diameter. The source describes juicy, sweet, fragrant flesh. A reliable harvest calendar and time from flowering to ripe fruit were not documented in the checked evidence.
Fruit and uses
The ripe fruit is eaten raw. This draft excludes the source account's medicinal, reproductive, and fragrance claims because the reviewed evidence does not provide suitable primary safety or clinical support for presenting them as established effects. [3]
Photos
References
[1] GBIF species match: Stelechocarpus burahol. https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/3154679 [2] Plants of the World Online search: Stelechocarpus burahol. https://powo.science.kew.org/results?q=Stelechocarpus%20burahol [3] Useful Tropical Plants: Stelechocarpus burahol. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Stelechocarpus+burahol
Image credits
- Burahol Fruit - Buah Kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol).jpg — photo by Sogellizer; CC BY-SA 4.0. Commons file page.
- Stelechocarpus-burahol-SF24242-04.jpg — photo by Steve Fitzgerald; CC BY-SA 4.0. Commons file page.
- Stelechocarpus-burahol-SF24257-01.jpg — photo by Steve Fitzgerald; CC BY-SA 4.0. Commons file page.
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