Grewia Species, Dhaman, Falsa, Phalsa

Phalsa is one amazing fruit. My father collected and planted couple of trees that served us delicious fruit for many years. In fact, I ...Read Moreloved it so much, I have been searching for it for a long time! Dark purple blueberries remind me of phalsa (those that are really sweet with a slight tartness ). Mmm!

So in Georgia, I never could germinate those seed. I've tried various resources , including a kind person from Pakistan mailed me some seeds (free of charge) . I tried heating pad, to all other germination technique. I may had to put them through stratification period. Anyway, I finally found a seller (thanks to Dave's Garden) selling some. Hopefully I will be able to taste some fruit one day soon. By the way, here is a great resource if you want to learn more on Phalsahttp://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1999/v4-...

*by the way, if you love this plant, give it positive rating (not neutral or negative). Just saying ;)

Does anyone know where in Florida can I find this fruit?

Thanks,

Dornier328300

A native of the Indian subcontinent, the deciduous
Phalsa is so rare here in the US that only a handful
of rare fruit ent...Read Morehusiasts seem to be aware of it.

Used extensively in Folk medicine in its native land,
the Vitamin C enriched Phalsa has now become the
subject of renewed medical research in many countries
of the world.

The most talked about Phalsa tree on public property,
a beautiful and healthy specimen in Fruit & Spice Park
in Homestead, Florida, got decimated by Hurricane
Andrew in August, 1992.

Whew! it took alot of research to ID this one! Phalsa Is a large scraggly-looking bush or a small tree reaching 15-16 feet. The fruits ar...Read Moree edible and are highly perishable. The fruits are borne in early summer and are approximately 1" in diameter.The skin of the ripened fruit is purple. It is used in India as a beverage fruit and the taste is similar to a grape although the texture reminds me more of a crabapple or apple. There is a single seed in the middle of the fruit.
The phalsa is indigenous to INDIA, Pakistan and Southeast Asia. It has been introduced in the Philippines and Georgia and Florida in the USA. It is also found in Puerto Rico.
Phalsa grows in many types of soil and the tree is drought tolerant.
The leaves of the Phalsa plant are used as animal fodder. In parts of southeast Asia, the bark is used as a soap substitute. The wood, because it is flexible, is used in making long poles for carrying loads on the shoulder and in basket weaving.
The fruit in Pakistan is used for its medicinal properties.
The green fruits are known to cure stomach aches. The leaves are used to aleviate boils on the skin. (antibiotic properties?) I planted a tree in my garden and I have been told that within one year it will bear fruits! Insha'allah!