Kaphal = काफल Myrica Nagi or Myrica Esculenta or Myrica Rubra... All of these and many more varieties may be available in Nepal... This is Myrica Nagi:
Physical Characteristics From http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Myrica+nagi&CAN=LATIND An evergreen tree growing to 12m. . It is in leaf all year. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Wind. The plant not is self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. Habitats and Possible Locations Woodland, Sunny Edge. Edible Uses Fruit. Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. Sweet with a pleasant blend of acid, they are very pleasant eating[193]. About 13mm in diameter[194]. The fruit contains about 12.6% sugar, 1% protein, 0.4% ash[194]. Low in vitamin C, about 4.1mg per 100ml[194]. The fruit does not keep well, only lasting in good condition for 2 - 3 days after picking[194]. Yields from mature trees can be as high as 25kg per year, but are more often around 15.5kg[194]. Medicinal Uses Disclaimer Antirheumatic; Antiseptic; Aromatic; Astringent; Carminative; Febrifuge; Ophthalmic; Rubefacient; Stimulant. Antirheumatic, aromatic, ophthalmic and stimulant[146, 158, 194]. The bark is antiseptic, astringent and carminative[240]. It has proved useful in the treatment of fevers, asthma and coughs[240]. Mixed with ginger, it is used as a rubefacient in the treatment of cholera[240]. Other Uses Dye; Tannin; Wax; Wood. A wax covering on the fruit is extracted by scalding the fruit with boiling water and immersing them for a few minutes, the wax floats to the surface and is then skimmed off. The fruit is then boiled in water to extract the wax from the pulp and once more the wax is skimmed off. It is then strained through a muslin cloth and can be used to make aromatic candles. Candles made from this wax are quite brittle but are less greasy in warm weather[213]. They are slightly aromatic and do not smoke when put out, making them much more pleasant to use that wax or tallow candles[213]. The wax is also used in making soaps[213]. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[146]. The plant is a source of tannin[146]. (Probably the bark or the leaves[K].) This is Myrica Esculenta:
Wood - hard, close-grained. a good fuel[158]. Cultivation details Prefers a moist soil. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade[200]. Thrives in any ordinary garden soil. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[1]. We are not sure how hardy this plant will be in Britain, it is unlikely to succeed outside the very mildest areas of the country. There is also some confusion between this species and M. rubra, it is possible that they are the same. The fruit is sold in local markets in the Himalayas[194]. It ripens over a fairly long period, so is not suitable for commercial cultivation[194]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Many species in this genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Propagation Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Barely cover the seed and keep it moist. Stored seed germinates more freely if given a 3 month cold stratification and then sown in a cold frame. Germination is usually good[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in the cold frame for the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up and overwinter in a cold frame. Fair to good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a frame. Layering in spring[200]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions. *************************** We sure have tried it with salt and pepper in kathmandu. Surya Binayak jungle in Bhaktapur has loads of this fruit. This is Myrica Rubra: