Canthium lucidum

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A spreading shrub or small tree. It grows 2-10 m high. It generally has several stems. The leaves are slightly leathery. They are opposite and smooth. They are narrow or oval. The blade is 8-14 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The leaf is paler underneath. The flowers are white but turn yellow with age. They have 5-6 petals arranged like a star. The flowers are about 1 cm across and in groups of 4-6. The fruit is smooth and 2 lobed. It is about 1.5 cm across. It is red when ripe and contains 2 seeds. The fruit are edible.

There are about 200 Canthium species. Canthium lucidum Hook. & Arn. is a synonym of Psydrax odorata subsp. odorata while Canthium lucidum Br. is a ;legitimate name.

Where it is found

It grows beside freshwater streams. It is often in monsoon forest.

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.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Now Canthium odoratum; or possibly Canthium schultzii;