Is this related to mango?

Not closely — it's in the same family (Anacardiaceae) as mango but a different genus (Spondias); its fruit has a similar tangy scent but a more fibrous, sour flesh.

How is the fruit used?

Its tart pulp is used in chutneys and pickles rather than eaten fresh like a dessert fruit, valued for its sharp, sour flavour.

✿Anacardiaceae · Spondias

Ambara / Indian Hog-Plum

Spondias pinnata

Also known as Wild Mango, Hog Plum

Treeoutdoor

Habit: Tree
Found in India: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & more
Flowering: January-June

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Plant Details

Scientific name: Spondias pinnata
Genus: Spondias
Family: Anacardiaceae
Habit: Tree
Habitat: Deciduous- and semi-evergreen forests, also in plains
Habitat type: Forest
Distribution: India, Indo-Malaysia, Java, Philippines
Found in India: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Assam, Nagaland, Gujarat, Sikkim, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand
Flowering & fruiting: January-June
Conservation status: Not Evaluated (NE)

Leaf characters

Leaf arrangement: OppositerecordedTwo leaves arise from the stem at the same point, facing each other.“leaf blades 300–400 mm (12–16 in), imparipinnately compound with 5-11 opposite leaflets;” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf type: Pinnately compoundrecordedLeaflets are arranged in rows along a central stalk, like a feather.“leaf blades 300–400 mm (12–16 in), imparipinnately compound with 5-11 opposite leaflets;” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf shape: OvaterecordedEgg-shaped, broader near the base.“leaflet blade ovate-oblong to elliptic-oblong, 70–120 mm (2.8–4.7 in) × 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in), papery, glabrous on both sides, with margins that are serrate or entire;” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf margin: ToothedrecordedA saw-like or jagged edge (serrate or dentate).“leaflet blade ovate-oblong to elliptic-oblong, 70–120 mm (2.8–4.7 in) × 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in), papery, glabrous on both sides, with margins that are serrate or entire;” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf surface: GlabrousrecordedSmooth, hairless.“The leaves are large, with pairs of leaflets (see illustration) on petioles that are 100–150 mm (3.9–5.9 in) and glabrous;” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Venation: Pinnate

Characters marked “recorded” are for Ambara itself; the rest are typical of the Anacardiaceae family.

Flower & fruit characters

Flower colour: Whiterecorded“The flowers are mostly sessile and small, white and glabrous;” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fruit type: DruperecordedA fleshy fruit with a single hard stone/pit enclosing the seed.“The fruit is a drupe ellipsoid to elliptic-ovoid, olive green becoming yellowish orange at maturity, 35–50 mm (1.4–2.0 in) × 25–35 mm (0.98–1.38 in);” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Flower symmetry: Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical)
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit: Drupe

Characters marked “recorded” are for Ambara itself; the rest are typical of the Anacardiaceae family — flowering plants only.

Local Names

Hindi: अम्बाड़ा Ambara, अम्बाड़ी Ambari, अमरा Amra, आमड़ा
Nepali: अमारो Amaaro
Bengali: আমড়া Aamada, আম্রাত Aamraata, আম্রাতক Aamraataka
Tamil: அம்பாழம் Ambazham, ஆம்பிரம் Ampiram, அப்பீரகம் Appirakam, Mambulichi
Telugu: అడవిమామిడి Adavimamidi, అధ్వము Adhvamu, అంబాళము Ambalamu
Kannada: ಅಬಟ್ಟಿ ಮರ Abatti Mara, ಅಮಟೆ ಕಾಯಿಮರ Amate Kaayimara, ಅಂಬಾಡೆ Ambaade
Malayalam: അമ്പഴം Ampazham, കാട്ട്മാങ്ങ Kaattumaanga, Kattambazham
Marathi: अमडा Amada, आंबाडा Ambada, ढोलआंबा Dholamba, अंबाडा
Sanskrit: Aamrataka

Ambara in India

This deciduous tree, known as अम्बाड़ा Ambara (Hindi), அம்பாழம் Ambazham (Tamil), అడవిమామిడి Adavimamidi (Telugu), ಅಬಟ್ಟಿ ಮರ Abatti Mara (Kannada), അമ്പഴം Ampazham (Malayalam), अमडा Amada (Marathi), is valued for its tart, mango-scented fruit. Spondias pinnata is found across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, typically in deciduous forest.

Uses

Its sour fruit is used in chutneys, pickles and traditional cooking, and young shoots and leaves are sometimes eaten as a tangy addition to regional dishes.

How to Identify Ambara

A deciduous tree with pinnate compound leaves clustered near the branch tips. Small greenish-white flowers appear in loose sprays as new leaves emerge, followed by oval, mango-scented fruit that ripens from green to yellow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Indian Hog-Plum called in different Indian languages?: अम्बाड़ा Ambara (Hindi); அம்பாழம் Ambazham (Tamil); అడవిమామిడి Adavimamidi (Telugu); ಅಬಟ್ಟಿ ಮರ Abatti Mara (Kannada); അമ്പഴം Ampazham (Malayalam); अमडा Amada (Marathi); আমড়া Aamada (Bengali); Aamrataka (Sanskrit).
Is this related to mango?: Not closely — it's in the same family (Anacardiaceae) as mango but a different genus (Spondias); its fruit has a similar tangy scent but a more fibrous, sour flesh.
How is the fruit used?: Its tart pulp is used in chutneys and pickles rather than eaten fresh like a dessert fruit, valued for its sharp, sour flavour.

Botanical family

Anacardiaceae

Cashew family

Ambara belongs to the Anacardiaceae family.

The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.

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Sources: GBIF — Spondias pinnata (India distribution & vernacular names) (CC BY 4.0) · Wikipedia — Spondias pinnata (background/comprehension only) (CC BY-SA 4.0)