Flacourtia indica, commonly known as Governor’s Plum, is an evergreen tree or large shrub native to a variety of habitats including tropical forests, savannahs, and coastal areas in the Indian Ocean region, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It can grow as a bushy shrub up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) or as a tree reaching around 50 feet (15 meters) in height. The plant has a spiny trunk and branches, with drooping branches that bear oval, glossy green leaves. Governor’s Plum is notable for its thorny protection, similar to that of citrus trees, which can cause a stinging pain upon contact. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, but the fruit, known as ramontchi, is a pome approximately an inch thick, red ripening to purple, and is both sweet and tangy. The fruit is consumed raw, or used in jellies, jams, and even fermented to make wine.

Governor’s Plum is valued for its edible fruit and as an ornamental plant due to its lush foliage and interesting form. It is used in tropical and subtropical landscapes, often as a hedge or for erosion control due to its dense growth habit. It requires full sun to thrive, high amounts of water, and well-draining soil with medium fertility. While it is relatively easy to maintain, care should be taken as it is potentially invasive outside its native range, and its thorns can be a hazard.CC BY-SA 4.0