Indian Bael ( Aegle marmelos ) is a small, deciduous tree native to India and south east Asia. The Indian Bael tree has huge religious significance in Hinduism and is considered sacred. The tree produces a fruit (bael) that can mature to the size of a lawn bowling ball. The fruit is sweet, fragrant, and slightly tart and can be eaten straight from the tree, it can also be dried or used to make a drink similar to lemonade. Other common names for the Aegle marmelos are Bilva Tree, Bel Patra Tree, Bengal Quince, Wood Apple, Japanese Bitter Orange, and Golden Apple. Growth Aegle marmelos is slow growing to 12 metres tall. The leaves are trifoliate, ovate and are up to 6 cm long. Fruit is edible, pear shaped, can grow up to around 12 cm’s in length and takes 11 months to ripen. Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record. FAMILY: Rutaceae CLIMATE: Cool, Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical. Requires a dry season to produce fruit. TEMPERATURE RANGE: -7 to 48°C / 19 to 118°F SOIL TYPE: Quite happy in most soil types but thrives best in a moist, well-draining soil. The tree is drought tolerant once established. LOCATION: Full Sun – Part Shade HEIGHT: Up to 12 metres (40 feet) WIDTH: Up to 3-4 metres (9-12 feet) pH: 5.5-8.5 GROWTH TYPE: Deciduous, Slow Growing WATER REQUIREMENTS: Light – Medium POLLINATION: Insects – Bisexual, meaning that each individual flower has both male and female parts. MATURITY: 2 years GERMINATION RATES: 72-88% GERMINATION TIME: 3-8 weeks, dependent on conditions GERMINATION DIFFICULTY: Easy-Medium SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 10 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: Yes. There is lots of information on medicinal benefits, however there is no scientific studies to support or dismiss the claims. There are cases of liver damage from dietary supplements made from Aegeline, a constituent in the leaves. WEED POTENTIAL: No EDIBLE: Yes SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY: Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1 year. FACTS ABOUT AEGLE MARMELOS (Indian Bael) The Indian Bael Tree is famous in India for its medicinal, culinary and religious significance. In Hinduism, the leaves of this plant are offered to their Lord Shiva in prayers and the tree is believed to have been created from the drops of sweat from the goddess Parvati.
