Phalsa tree in bloom

Phalsa or Grewia asiatica is a tropical fruit tree/shrub native to South Asia from India east to Cambodia.

I found a small patch of these shrubs in Malihabad - the mango-orchard belt on the outskirts of Lucknow (India). Women from the family that owned this phalsa orchard, took turns at guarding. A herd of goat or a stray buffalo can ruin the annual harvest. The flowers though delicate reach fruition under the hot April sun :-)

The purple-maroon, sweet-sour fruit tastes great with a dash of salt. Phalsa sherbet is also a great summer favourite.