It is a rare nutrional fruit native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It comprises of nine species and out of this this species is found in India. It is formerly known as cliff banana. According to reports endemic to the Western Ghats in India, and is also found in Assam and Rajasthan. The plant is known as ‘kalluvazha’ in Kerala, ‘kalvazhai’ in Tamil Nadu, ‘kallubale’ in Karnataka, ‘rankeli’ in Maharashtra and ‘junglikela’ in Gujarat. Therapeutic potential of the seeds of cliff banana for various human ailments, viz. diabetes, leucorrhoea, kidney stone, dysuria2, etc. has been reported.

Mode of Consumption: It is consumed raw when the fruit is matured and ripe.