| Common Name : | Stone apple, Indian bael. |
| Binomial Name : | Aegle marmelos |
| Family : | Rutaceae |
| Bangla Name : | Bel (বেল) |
| Photo Taken : | Bangladesh |
This is commonly known as Bael or Bengal Quince, is a tree native to India and Southeast Asia. It is recognized for its medicinal properties and cultural significance in the region. Its Botanic name is Aegle marmelos. This plant belongs to the Rutaceae family, a diverse group of flowering plants that includes citrus fruits and other aromatic plants.
Bael is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a straight trunk, thorny branches, and dense foliage. Its glossy leaves are leathery and divided into several oblong leaflets, creating an attractive and distinctive appearance. When crushed the leaves of the plant, it produced a nice smell.
It produces clusters of fragrant flowers that are greenish-white in color. Each flower typically has five sepals and five petals, which are greenish-white in color. The petals are slightly elongated and have a delicate and translucent appearance. Within the flower, there are numerous stamens with yellowish filaments and small, spherical anthers that contain the pollen. Fruits are round in shape and typically measures around 5 to 8 centimeters in diameter. The fruit has a hard, woody rind that is usually green when unripe and turns yellowish or brownish as it ripens. The surface of the rind may appear wrinkled or textured.
Stone apple holds significant medicinal value and has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for various purposes. The fruit of Aegle marmelos, with its round shape, hard rind, and sweet, aromatic pulp containing numerous seeds, is harvested and consumed for its nutritional benefits. Additionally, the tree has cultural and religious importance in many regions, contributing to its usage in various rituals and practices.
Photos of these article were taken from Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was during the month of April 2015.
Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog icflora.blogspot.com
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