False lime (Suregada multiflora), locally known as Merlimau, is an evergreen, tree from the family Euphorbiaceae, native to South China, India and peninsular Malaysia.
🌲 The tree has an irregular or conical crown with branches starting at quite a low height.
🌿 🍂The alternately arranged, oval leaves have leathery leaf blades with smooth margins, and turn orange before they drop.
💮Small creamish-white flowers are produced in leaf opposed clusters. They are either male or female (dioecious).
🍊The fruit is a trilobed capsule (2-2.5 cm) that turns orangish when ripe. Each fruit contains 3 black seeds each covered by a segment of white succulent flesh. It looks like a small lime hence the common name.
⚕️The plant secretes phytochemicals that are antiinflammatory and potentially useful in the treatment of HIV and breast cancer.
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Plants of Singapore
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