BAEL FRUIT (Aegle ltlarmelos). Aegle is a genus of the family Rutaceae, containing three species, two in tropical Asia and one in west tropical Africa. The plants are trees bearing strong spines, with alternate, compound leaves each with three leaflets and panicles of sweet-scented white flowers. Aegle Mar melos, the bael- or bel-fruit tree (also known as Bengal quince), is found wild or cultivated throughout India. The tree is valued for its fruit, which is oblong to pyriform in shape, 2 to 5 in. in diameter and has a grey or yellow rind and a sweet, thick orange coloured pulp. The unripe fruit is cut up in slices, sun-dried and used as a remedy for dysentery; the ripe fruit is described as sweet, aromatic and cooling. The wood is yellowish-white and hard but not durable.