Atherton tamarind, Boonjee Tamarind
Diploglottis bracteata
Family: Sapindaceae
What it is like
A tree up to 10 m tall. It spreads 3-5 m wide. The leaves are compound. There are 8-14 leaflets and these are 5-23 cm long. New leaves are silvery and older leaves are softly hairy underneath. The fruit are 15-25 mm across. They occur in bunches in the axils of leaves. The fruit capsule has a velvety texture on the outside. It is silky on the inside. There are 3 seeds. These are 4 cm long by 2 cm across. The aril or layer around the seed is edible.
There are 8-10 Diploglottis species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows naturally in rainforest in Queensland, Australia. It suits higher altitudes. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 820 m altitude. It can tolerate full sun. It needs well drained soils rich in organic matter.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Aril, fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed which must be sown fresh.
Seedlings are slow growing in their first year.