Louvi plum/Flacourtia inermis, known commonly as lovi-lovi, or batoko plum, is a species of flowering plant native to the Philippines, but which has naturalized in tropical Asia and Africa.The common name of Flacourtia inermis in Indonesia, such as Tome-Tome (Ternate, North Maluku), Lovi-lovi, lobi-lobi.
This is a medium-sized spineless tree that may grow up to 15 meters. The mature leaves are oblong and elliptic in shape and glossy on the upper side, with a toothed margin. They are about 8 to 20 centimeters long and 3 to 15 centimeters wide. The young leaves are bright orange to reddish in color, turning green as they mature.
The fruits are produced in bunches and resemble cherries. The fruit is round and shiny, turning from light green to a deep red color upon ripening. Each fruit measures 1 to 3 centimeter in diameter. The flesh is crunchy but sour and acidic in taste. The fruits are edible but generally not eaten fresh but made as jams, preserves, and syrups. Its fruit is rich in an antimicrobial agent-2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid.
| Louvi plum Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Louvi plum |
| Scientific Name: | Flacourtia inermis Roxb |
| Origin | The Philippines but which has naturalized in tropical Asia and Africa |
| Colors | Green to yellow to glossy, bright red |
| Shapes | Sub-globose to globose, 2–2.5 cm diameter, smooth |
| Taste | Sour and astringent |
Lobi-Lobi, scientifically known as Flacourtia inermis Roxb., is originated in tropical Asia including Malesia. The annual planting in the tropics of the New World. It is planted as a shade. The plant grows in form of trees which is 3 meters to 10 meters high. The trunk is usually crooked, furrowed, and gnarled upto 35 cm with brown or grey, smooth bark. Branchlets are pubescent to nearly tomentose and brownish. Leaves are single, alternately, and short-stemmed. Leaves are oval, 8 to 20 cm long, and 3-15 cm wide. Racemes are short, nearly reduced to fascicles about 1 to 1.5 cm, and puberulous having several small bracts at the base. Pedicles are slender, finely pubescent, and measure 4-10 mm. Sepals are ovate, obtuse, and nearly glabrous outside. Stamens are not fully developed. The fruit is round measuring 1-3 cm in diameter that encompasses many seeds. The fruit has soft skin with a smooth surface. Young fruits are yellowish-green which turns to dark red to purple-black when ripened. The fruit tastes sour.
Traditional uses
- Fruit juice is used to treat diarrhea.
- It is also helpful in vomiting, nausea, and throat aches.
Culinary uses
- Fruits are consumed raw or used for making jelly, jam, chutney, pickles, preserves, pies, and confectionery.
- In Indonesia, cooked fruits are used in rujak (mixed fruit, chili sauce, and peanut) and Asian (mixed vegetable with chili flavor).
- Fruits are processed in the form of jam, syrup, and sweets.
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