Another one that’s more of a quiet presence in the food forest than a headline tree.
The Basics
Governor’s plum, also known as ramonchi, is Flacourtia indica, a shrub or small tree in the family Salicaceae (older references place it in Flacourtiaceae).
Origin and Habitat
Native to tropical Africa, Madagascar, and parts of Asia, where it grows in a wide range of dry to moist habitats.
What It Looks Like
A shrub or small tree, sometimes thorny, bearing small plum-like fruit that ripens from red to dark purple.
Uses and Flavor
Haven’t gotten fruit from ours yet, so no firsthand flavor notes. Elsewhere it’s eaten fresh once fully ripe or made into jams and preserves, since it can be quite tart underripe.
Growing It Here
Still watching this one establish, still under 8 feet tall and not producing yet, but it made it through a real drought stretch without dying back, which says something about how tough this species actually is under the ordinary looking exterior.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Nothing to report so far.
Kenta’s Take
Not every tree here needs a big story right out of the gate. Surviving a drought without complaint is a decent enough résumé line while I keep getting to know this one.