Indian Olive(জলপাই ফুল) - Elaeocarpus floribundus

Bengali Name :	Jolpai, জলপাই
Common Name :	Indian Olive
Botanical Name :	Elaeocarpus floribundus
Family :	Elaeocarpaceae

Indian Olive is a sour tasted fruit which is available allover our country Bangladesh(বাংলাদেশ). We use to call this Jolpai(জলপাই). Botanical name is Elaeocarpus floribundus and it belongs to the plant family Elaeocarpaceae. This is available both in wild and cultivated form at our country. It is native to South and East Asian region.

Indian Olive is an evergreen medium sized plant. Leafs of this plant are oblong, elliptical, ovate, etc shaped, having pointed tip and toothed margin. Before falling from the tree, the leafs become red in color. Jolpai flowers(জলপাই ফুল) are always available as cluster. Color of the flower is white, creamy white, etc. Flower is having 5 bracts/sepals which cover the five petals. Each petal than divided into hair like things. Young olive leafs are tasted sour too and children always use to pluck this from the tree.

Jolpai(জলপাই) Fruits are 2-5cm in length and having a smooth surface. Taste of the fruit is acidic. We use to make pickle from this fruit. Also it has several uses in culinary to increase the taste. These the reasons for this plant is being cultivated in our country. In our village we have several Olive plants at our yards.

Note: In Bandarban(বান্দরবান) I have seen a similar fruit in wild which is extremely bitter in taste and totally useless. I single bite on that wild fruit will make your day worst.

Photos of this article were taken from Brikkho Mela at Dhaka(বৃক্ষ মেলা, ঢাকা) during June 2012.