Black Apple
Planchonella australis

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

Black Apple or Planchonella australis is a subtropical, fast-growing, large tree reaching up to 25 m tall and 120 cm in trunk diameter found in Australia. It has shiny and dark green leaves and small white flowers. The purplish or black, globose fruits are eaten raw. Each fruit contains 2 - 5 seeds. The wood is used for high quality cabinet making. Plant is propagated by seed or cuttings. P. australis is also known by other common names such as wild plum, yellow buttonwood, black plum, and yellow bulletwood.

Planchonella australis is a TREE. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0

Where it is found

Along the coast and in gullies in adjacent plateaux.

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw. Some forms are quit sweet. The purplish or black, obovoid or globose fruit is 20 - 60mm long, containing 2 - 5 seeds that are each around 20mm long.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses: The wood is hard and handsomely marked. It is used for high quality cabinet making.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

A plant mainly of the subtropical regions of eastern Australia, just entering into the tropical regions in southern Queensland. The tree is slow-growing when young. Spacing: 12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m) 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m).

Propagating it: Seed - sown fresh it germinates within a few weeks.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 11-12

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Achras australis R.Br. Pouteria australis (R.Br.) Baehni Sapota australis (R.Br.) A.DC. Sersalisia australis (R.Br.) Domin. Sersalisia glabra A.Gray Sideroxylon australe (R.Br.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex F.Muell. Xantolis australis (R.Br.) Baehni