Apricot Myrtle
Pilidiostigma tropicum
Family: Myrtaceae
What it is like
A tree up to 8-12 m tall. It spreads 3-5.5 m wide. Young growth is apricot coloured. The bark is flaky. There are many branches are they are flattened or 4 angled. The leaves are simple and 4-9 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The leaves taper to the base. They are opposite. The edges are wavy. The twigs are reddish. The flowers are 1.3 cm across. They are white, cream or pink. There are 2-6 flowers together in the axils of leaves. The fruit are 12-22 mm long by 11-14 mm wide. They occur singly or in bunches. They can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit are purple to black. Squashed fruit smell like green peas. The seeds are 7-8 mm long by 6-7 mm wide. The flesh of the fruit is edible.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. They grow naturally in rainforest in NE Queensland. It grows both in the lowlands and highlands. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1100 m altitude. They need moist but freely draining acid soils. They can grow in the sun or light shade.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from fresh seed.