Brown Quandong
Elaeocarpus ruminatus

Family: Elaeocarpaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows up to 15-30 m tall and spreads 5-12 m wide. It has a spreading crown. The bark is grey-brown. Young shoots have silky hairs. The leaves are simple and 7-15 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are dark green and glossy above and paler underneath. There are teeth along the edge. The flowering stalks are 5-13 cm long and in the axils of leaves towards the ends of small branches. The flowers are 0.6 cm long. They are greenish-white and cup shaped. They have silky hairs. The fruit are 13 mm long by 10-13 mm wide. They hang in bunches in the axils of leaves. There is one seed inside. The flesh of the fruit is edible.

There are about 360 Elaeocarpus species mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in rainforests in Queensland, Australia. It grows between 200-1160 m altitude. It suits tropical and subtropical regions. It needs well drained soil and plenty of moisture.

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 seed. Seed do not grow easily.

Its other names

Local names

Caloon

Synonyms

Elaeocarpus petiolosus F. Muell.;