CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

MAULSARI / BAKUL

Mimusops elengi L.

Botanical name	: Mimusops elengi L
Synonym	: Mimusops parvifolia R.Br.
Vernacular name	: Maulsari / Bullet wood/ Bakul
Family	: Sapotaceae
About the Tree	: A middle sized evergreen tree with low branching forming a dense, dark, glossy head. Native to Myanmar, India and Sri Lanka, this fruit tree is grown in many tropical countries.
Height	: up to 10 m.
Bark	: Bark is nut brown or dark grey, longitudinally fissured, cracked, blaze pink.
Leaf	: Leaves simple, alternate, spiral; petiole 1-2.5 cm long, glabrous, canaliculated towards apex, pubescent when young, later glabrous; lamina 7-14 x 2.5-7 cm, elliptic-oblong, apex shortly acuminate with blunt tip, base rounded or acute.
Flower	: Flowers white, axillary, fragrant with numerous narrow petals, pedicel up to 2 cm.
Fruits	: It is a berry, ellipsoid in shape, reddish-brown when ripe, seed one. It is edible.
Season	: Flower in May-June; another flush in rainy season. Fruiting is from February to June. Leaves nearly evergreen and new leaves appear in late April contrasting to older ones.
Medicinal Properties Peculiar Character	: Various parts of the tree have medicinal properties. It is used in the treatment and maintenance of oral hygiene. Rinsing mouth with water solution made with bakul helps in strengthening the teeth. It also prevents bad breath and helps keep the gums healthy. : -