Acid drop vine, Zig-zag vine
Uvaria leichardtii

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A twining vine. It is a woody climber. The woody branches have a zig-zag pattern. The leaves are oval and shiny and green. The leaves are simple and 4-23 cm long. The underside can have a few rusty hairs. The flowers are brown and have a strong scent. They are 2.5 cm across. They are on stalks 2.5 cm long. The fruit is 40-60 mm long. Several fruit radiate from the one receptacle. The fruit are yellow to orange in a cluster and spread out in finger shape. They are fleshy. They are constricted between the seeds. The fruit are hard on the outside but with a soft pulp. The fruit are yellow or orange and waxy. There are 1-5 seeds in each fruit. The flesh is edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits heavy soils and sheltered sites. It grows in rainforest. It grows from sea level to 1,100 m above sea level. It grows naturally in rainforest in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Papua New Guinea

How it is used for food

The fruit are sour but have a rich flavour. The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seeds. Seeds germinate in about 2 months. It can be used as a ground cover or clipped as a shrub. It grows slowly at first but then becomes vigourous.

Its other names

Local names

Acid drop vine, Merangara

Synonyms

Fissistigma leichardtii (Benth.) Merr.; Melodorum leichardtii (F. Muell.) Benth.; Rauwenhoffia leichardtii (F. Muell.) Diels; Unona leichardtii F. Muell.;