Aegle marmelos - Bael Tree, Golden Apple or Bengal Quince – is a mid-size, slow-growing deciduous tree native to India growing up to 18m in the right conditions. The fruits, leaves, twigs and root of the Bael tree are used medicinally. The tree is considered to be sacred by Hindus. Its fruits are used in traditional medicine, and as a food. It requires a pronounced dry season to give fruit. The orange fruits have an aromatic, pleasant-flavoured yellow pulp that is eaten either fresh or dry. The leaves and small shoots are eaten as salad greens. Flowers are fragrant.
