Mimusops Elengi

From March to July the night air is filled with the delicious heady aroma of its sprays of star-shaped, yellowish white flowers. People collect them as they retain their perfume for many days after they fall and they are offered in temples and shrines. The fruits are eaten fresh and are softly hairy becoming smooth, ovoid, and bright red-orange when ripe. With its small shiny, thick, narrow, pointed leaves, straight trunk and spreading branches, it is a prized ornamental specimen as it provides a dense shade. It is found in tropical forests in South Asia, Southeast Asia and northern Australia where its timber is valuable.