Blush Coondoo
Planchonella laurifolia

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tall tree. It grows 15-25 m high and spreads 10-15 m wide. The bark is brown and comes off in large pieces. This makes a pattern on the trunk. The young growth is hairy. The leaves are 9-20 cm long by 3-7.5 cm wide. They are oval and crowded near the ends of small branches. They are leathery and dark green dull above but shiny underneath. The flowers are 0.4 cm long and greenish. They are hairy. They occur in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are berries 1-2.2 cm long by 0.5-1 cm wide. They are black. There is one seed which is 1-1.5 cm long. It is brown and shiny.

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

Where it is found

It grows in coastal districts in NE Australia in warm temperate regions. They grow near rainforest. They need well drained soil. The can tolerate light frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed and cuttings of firm young growth.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Achras laurifolia F. Muell. ex Benth.; Beccariella laurifolia (A. Rich.) Aubrev.; Planchonella laurifolia (A. Rich.) Pierre; Sersalisia laurifolia A. Rich.; Sideroxylon laurifolium (A. Rich.) Engl. [Illegitimate]; Sideroxylon richardii F. Muell.;