About Mimusops elengi L.
Mimusops elengi L., commonly called bullet wood, is an evergreen tree that typically reaches around 15 m (49 ft) in height, and may grow between 9–18 m (30–59 ft) tall with a trunk circumference of about 1 m (3 ft 3 in). It flowers in April, and fruits from June to October. Its leaves are glossy, dark green, oval-shaped, 5–14 cm (2.0–5.5 in) long, and 2.5–6 cm (0.98–2.36 in) wide. Its flowers are cream-colored, hairy, and strongly scented. Ripe fruits are ovoid, bright red-orange, fleshy, smooth when fully mature (softly hairy earlier), and range in color from yellow to brown before ripening. Each fruit contains one large seed. The fruit pulp is yellow and edible. The tree's bark is thick, dark brownish black or grayish black in color, with striations and a few cracks on its surface. The seeds resemble custard apple seeds, are approximately 1 to 1.5 cm (0.5 inches) long, have a hard brownish black coat, and germinate quite easily; soaking the seeds speeds up the germination process. Bullet wood trees grow at a moderate pace and prefer full sun. This plant is native to South and Southeast Asia, especially the coastal areas of the Indian subcontinent, Vietnam, and Myanmar, as well as Northern Australia. It was introduced to China in the 20th century, and is now cultivated in southern China and Taiwan. In Thailand, the flowers are sun-dried to make floral infusions, and are also added to green tea. The tree's wood is a luxurious, extremely hard, strong, and tough timber with a rich deep red color. The heartwood is sharply distinct from the sapwood, it works easily and takes a beautiful polish, and has a density of 1008 kg per cubic meter.
