Aratiles
Muntingia calabura Linn.

Common names   
Aratiles (Tag.)  Seresa (Ilk.)
Datiles (Tag., Bik.)  Zanitas (Ilk., Ibn.)
Latires (Tag.)  Cereza (Sp.)
Ratiles (Tag.)  

Botany:
A fast growing tree to a height of 5-10 meters, with spreading branches. Leaves are hairy, sticky, alternate, distichous, oblong-ovate to broadly oblong-lanceolate, 8 to 12 cm long, with toothed margins, pointed apex and inequilateral base, one side rounded and the other acute. Flowers are 2 cm in diameter, white, extra-axillary, solitary or in pairs. Sepals are 5, green, reflexed, lanceolate, about 1 cm long. Petals are white, obovate, i cm long and spreading. The berry fruitis rounded, about 1.5 cm diameter, red on ripening, smooth, fleshy, sweet and many seeded.

Distribution
Naturalized, widely distributed.

Parts utilized
Bark, leaves and flowers.

Properties
Antispasmodic and emollient.

Uses
Folkloric
Decoction of flowers for abdominal cramps.
Decoction of used as emollient.
Others
Bark used for making rope.

Availability
Wild-crafted.