Kara Trees

Kara trees are large fruit trees. Karas grow to a height of 40 feet or more, have rough bark, and their branches and leaves produce an irritating resin which causes itching. Kara produce fruit throughout the entire summer. This fruit is light brown in color; spots of yellow indicate that the fruit is new, red shows full ripening. Karafruit is about fist-sized and oddly squarish. Unripe, they are putrid-tasting and cause severe cramps if consumed. Ripe fruit is chewy and somewhat sweet. It provides a staple in the diet of many people.

Karafruit trees grow to 40 feet or more. They have a rough bark, and an irritating resin exudes from branches and leaves. Karafruit is light brown, with yellow spotting when unripe and red streaks when mature. Karafruit are fist sized, oddly squarish, chewy, and sweet.

Common Name In Sri Lanka: Kara Scientific Name: Canthium coromandelicum l. Other Names: karai (T) Zone: Size of Tree: Status: Average Height: 5 m 5 m Identification Leaves are ovate to elliptic or obovate, (1.5-)2-4 x (1-)1.5-2.5 cm in size. Flowers Fruit 0.7-1 cm diam.
Habitat Monsoon forest understory
Special Notes Fruit-edible, Leaves - vegetable.