Vernacular names:
Cancer chakka, Mulluathi, കാൻസർ ചക്ക, മുള്ളാത്ത (Malayalam), Prickly Custard Apple (English), Lakshmanaphala (Sanskrit), Mulla-chitta (Tamil)
Distribution: Native of Central America and West Indies, introduced elsewhere
Description: Small trees, bark pale brown. Leaves simple, alternate, distichous, estipulate. Flowers yellowish-green, solitary, axillary or from mature branches. Fruit ovoid to obovoid, green, covered with curved spines, stout; seeds many, reddish-brown, ca. 1.5 cm long.
Habit: Tree
Habitat: Cultivated
Flowering & Fruiting: April-October
Parts used: Bark, Leaves, fruit and flowers
Properties & Uses: Anti-cancer and purgative. The leaves and fruits are used treat cancer. It is also used for the treatment of kidney stones, fever, ulcers, dysentery and wounds. The bark is purgative. Bark infusion for dysentery, against intestinal worms and to stop cough.