440 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



hedge plant, and its plum-like fruits, which are produced in 

 great abundance, make good jam and preserves. 



If allowed to develop to maximum size, the plant may be- 

 come a large shrub or small tree about 25 feet high. It is armed 

 with long slender thorns. The leaves are broadly ovate in 

 outline, 2 to 3 inches long, acuminate, and commonly serrate. 

 The staminate and pistillate flowers are normally produced on 

 separate plants, as in the papaya ; it is, therefore, necessary to 



FIG. 58. The ramontchi (Flacourtia Ramontchi) , often called governor's-plum, 

 comes from Madagascar. Its maroon-colored fruits, of subacid flavor, are 

 valued principally for making preserves. (X f) 



plant trees of both sexes in order to have fruit. The flowers 

 are small and inconspicuous, the fruits round, about an inch 

 in diameter, and deep maroon colored when fully ripe, having 

 a thin skin surrounding soft juicy pulp and several small thin 

 seeds. The flavor is sweet and agreeable in some varieties, 

 acid and somewhat strong in others. 



The ramontchi is considered a native of southern Asia 

 and Madagascar. It is now widely scattered throughout the 



