Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.), a large, deciduous and subtropical fruit tree has been recognised as a
potential agroforestry tree for income generation for subsistence farmers in Nepal. The tree, locally called
Lapsi, produces fruits with high vitamin C content, which are consumed fresh, pickled and processed for
preparing varieties of sweet and sour, tasty food products that are marketed locally and have potentials
for exporting. A total of 301 Village Development Committees in 29 hill districts have reported
cultivation and protection of Lapsi trees for some socio-economic purpose. Lapsi was grown from east to
west Nepal from 850 m asl to up to 1900 m. Distribution of Lapsi has been found in much wider areas in
the country than reported earlier. Over 40,000 trees are at fruit bearing stage and more than 450,000 new
trees are planted in various districts of Nepal.