Dillenia

Dillenia is a genus of trees and shrubs belonging to the family Dilleniaceae. These plants are native to East India and are characterized by their large, showy white or yellow flowers with numerous stamens. The family Dilleniaceae, to which Dillenia belongs, is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions and includes about 300 species of trees, shrubs, and woody vines.12

Some species within the Dillenia genus are notable for their fruits and flowers. For instance, Dillenia indica, found in Southeast Asia, is valued for its fragrant flowers and edible fruits, which are used in jellies and curries. The fruits of some Dillenia species can be quite large, with D. indica having fruits the size of cannonballs, potentially dispersed by elephants. While some species of Dillenia provide timber and tannin, others, particularly from the related genus Hibbertia, are used as ornamental plants.2