Black Apple, Wild Plum, Yellow Buttonwood
Pouteria australis

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tall tree. It grows 10-25 m tall and spreads 10-15 m wide. The crown is spreading. The bark is rough and cracked. Young growth is bright green and hairy. The leaves are dark green and shiny above and paler underneath. They are 8-16 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. They are broadly oval and taper to the base. The flowers are 0.5 cm long and greenish-cream. They occur either singly or in clusters. They can be in the axils of leaves or on old wood. The fruit are berries. They are 2-5 cm across and oval. They are purple or black. There are 3-5 seeds which are up to 5 cm long. They are brown and shiny. The fruit are edible.

There are about 100 Planchonella species. They are mostly in Asia and the Pacific.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs well drained, moist soils. It can tolerate some frost. It can grow in full sun of light shade. It can tolerate coastal spray. Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for making jam.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

It is slow growing. Trees take 10 years to start fruiting. A fruit weighs 50 g. A mature tree can produce several hundred fruit in a season.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Planchonella australis (R.Br.) Pierre; Sideroxylon australis;