Katmon Tree

Katmon Tree

Katmon is found only in the Philippines, being common in forests at low and medium altitudes throughout the islands.

This plant is a tree reaching a height of 6 to 15 meters. It is smooth or nearly so. The leaves are leathery, shining, ovate, elliptic or oblong-ovate, 12 to 25 centimeters long, and coarsely toothed at the margins. The flowers are white, large, showy, and about 15 centimeters in diameter. The fruit, which is rounded, is 5 to 6 centimeters in diameters.

The fruit contains a soft, fleshy, green, edible pulp with a flavor somewhat like that of a green, sour apple. The fresh fruit is not particularly good but, owing to its acid, juicy character, it is refreshing when eaten in the woods. It makes an excellent sauce or jam and is also used for flavoring fish. A red dye is obtained from the bark of this tree.

This photo was taken at Kan-irag Nature Park, Ayala Heights, Cebu.