Clammy Cherry Fruit Plant - A Healer’s Delight Wrapped in a Glossy Golden Fruit

Botanical Name: Cordia dichotoma
Common Names: Clammy Cherry, Glue Berry, Gum Berry, Indian Cherry, Lasoda

✦ Introduction to a Lesser-Known Jewel

Thriving gracefully in warm tropical and sub-tropical climates, the Clammy Cherry Tree (Cordia dichotoma) is a small-to-medium deciduous species that beautifully blends utility, nutrition, and tradition. Known in different cultures for its sticky fruit pulp and healing properties, this tree is a familiar sight across India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, northern Australia, and parts of the Pacific Islands.

Belonging to the Boraginaceae family, it holds deep cultural significance — valued in traditional medicine, local cuisines, and even in oral care practices.

✦ Physical Description and Growth Habit

Tree Height: Up to 10–15 meters under favorable conditions
Crown: Broad, with spreading branches and dense foliage
Leaves: Simple, ovate, and slightly rough to the touch
Flowers: Small, white, and mildly fragrant blossoms that precede fruiting
Fruit: Ovoid to round; green when unripe, turning translucent yellow or brown at maturity

The sticky or ‘clammy’ texture of its ripe fruits gives the tree its curious and endearing name — Clammy Cherry.

✦ Common and Local Names Across Regions

India: Lasoda (Hindi), Naruvili (Malayalam), Nunna (Telugu), Sileti (Bengali)
Sri Lanka: Gadu-guda
Vietnam: Bồ kết bạch hoa
Australia: Fragrant Manjack

This fruit has crossed linguistic and cultural boundaries, finding its place in rural kitchens, herbal remedies, and community traditions.

✦ Edible Uses and Culinary Appeal

The fruit is edible both raw and cooked, with a flavor that combines the sweetness of pineapple and the tang of mango.

Unripe fruits are often used in pickles and spiced vegetable dishes, especially in traditional Indian homes.

Ripe fruits are soft, sticky, and enjoyed fresh, or added to desserts, chutneys, and sweet-spiced syrups.

Its natural mucilage makes it an excellent thickener in indigenous recipes.

In some regions, it’s sun-dried and preserved, sometimes sweetened or seasoned with local spices.

This rare flavor — fruity, mild, and slightly resinous — makes Clammy Cherry a culinary curiosity worth experiencing.

✦ Health Benefits and Medicinal Legacy

For centuries, various parts of the Cordia dichotoma tree have been valued in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems of medicine for their healing potential.

Traditionally known for its anthelmintic, diuretic, and expectorant properties, this tree supports respiratory comfort, digestive balance, and natural detoxification. Its fruit paste is used for skin eruptions, while bark extracts are believed to protect liver health and reduce fever.

Additional benefits include:

Soothing sore throats and coughs

Acting as a mild antidepressant and natural pain reliever

Promoting internal comfort through its mucilage-rich pulp

Supporting immunity and stress resistance

✦ Nutritional Composition

Though not extensively studied commercially, traditional knowledge and early research suggest the fruit offers:

Mucilage content: Soothes mucous membranes and internal linings

Vitamin C: Boosts immunity and reduces inflammation

Iron and minerals: Aid hemoglobin and metabolic health

Natural sugars and fiber: Support gentle digestion and energy

Together, these nutrients make Clammy Cherry a natural wellness ally, especially during seasonal transitions.

✦ Cultivation and Maintenance

Bloom to Fruiting Period: 1–2 years from planting

Sunlight: Prefers full sun; tolerates partial shade

Soil: Grows well in sandy-loamy to red lateritic soils

Water Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

Maintenance: Medium — occasional pruning and light feeding improve fruit yield

Thanks to its resilience and low pest susceptibility, it’s ideal for both home gardens and agroforestry settings.

✦ Preservation and Traditional Practices

Fruits are sun-dried or made into tamarind-style pastes for later use.

Unripe fruits are boiled, seasoned, and dried into chewy, tangy snacks.

Bark and leaves are powdered and stored for herbal remedies.

The sticky pulp doubles as a natural adhesive, giving rise to the name Glue Berry.

In many rural regions, this tree is planted close to homes as a dependable source of food, medicine, and everyday utility — reflecting a harmonious relationship between nature and community life.

✦ How to Add Clammy Cherry to Your Daily Life

Here are a few simple ways to experience its goodness every day:

Pickle unripe fruits with traditional spices for a tangy addition to meals.

Prepare a gentle decoction of bark or leaves to ease seasonal coughs.

Blend ripe fruits into smoothies or mix with honey for a homemade throat tonic.

Try dried slices as a tangy, herbal twist in your spice box.

Its mild sweetness and soothing nature make it perfect for children, the elderly, and anyone seeking natural wellness support.

✦ Embrace the Multipurpose Wonder from Nature’s Pharmacy

The Clammy Cherry Tree (Cordia dichotoma) is more than just a fruit bearer — it’s a healer, a kitchen companion, and a symbol of balanced living. Whether you’re a culinary explorer, a garden enthusiast, or someone who values plants for their natural remedies, this tree brings beauty and purpose to your space.

At Exotica Grove , we nurture healthy Clammy Cherry plants that flourish beautifully in Indian conditions. With each passing year, the tree matures to gift you fruits rich in heritage and healing — ready to be experienced, shared, and cherished.