Having the fruit of the Kepel tree, a South-East Asian relative of the Indian Sithaphal , was traditionally believed to give one’s bodily secretions a perfume-like scent.
This, along with the fruit’s medicinal properties, made it a delicacy reserved for the ancient Javanese elite, and forbidden to commoners.
Over time, however, the Kepel fruit has travelled far, to reach even the Malayali’s orchard. Kepel saplings, offshoots of imported ancestors, are up for sale at the Trivandrum Flower Show here.
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Given certain similarities between the Indonesian and South Indian climate, the Kepel tree will grow well in Kerala, says Jitesh, of the Kollam-based Kumar nursery. Kepel saplings are being sold at the nursery’s stall here for around ₹2,000 to ₹5,000.
The fruits, which have a spicy, mango-like flavour, will be yielded after around eight years.
Saplings of other tropical fruits native to South-East Asia including the miracle fruit, which when eaten, can subsequently cause sour food to taste sweet, keo savoy mango, durian, dragon fruit, longan, longkong, jabuticaba and baraba are also available at the show.
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These trees have become popular in the State over the past few years, says Sarath, of the Mannuthi-based Reshma nursery.
The nursery has been selling imported varieties of trees for the past six years. Non-native flower breeds like the Golden Cascade and Tecoma are also available at the show, though there are more takers for the good old Hibiscus, Jasmine and Thechi, according to stall-keepers.
Selfies galore
Visitors at the show, being held at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, are making the maximum use of the scenic potential of the flower arrangements, with many posing for selfies and group photos. While it was the animal-shaped sculptures made of plastic flowers that caught the fancy of children, adults were taken in by the intricate geometric patterns at the various stalls.
The show, being organised by Travancore Events in association with the Kerala Adds and Events, is on till February 9.