Cocky Apple, Wild Quince, Billygoat Plum
Planchonia careya

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

A tree which loses its leaves during the year. It grows 4-15 m high and spreads 2-5 m wide. The bark is grey and corky. The leaves are simple and 2-10 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The leaves are broadly oval or spoon shaped. They are smooth and shiny above but dull underneath. The leaves turn red colour before they fall. The flowers are 8 cm across. They are pink and white and showy. The fruit is 50 mm long by 35 mm wide. They can be larger. They occur singly or in bunches. The fruit are produced in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. They contain several seeds. The seeds are 10-11 mm long by 7 mm wide. The flesh is edible.

There are about 14 Plachonia species. They grow in the Asian tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and open forest in tropical regions. It can also grow in seasonally dry regions and in subtropical places. It needs very good drainage. It does best in a sunny location. It also grows in sand plains behind beaches.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten. They are eaten when the juice in them is yellow. The skin and pulp fibres are discarded.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. The seed need to be treated to break the hard seed coat before planting. They can be grown by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Banggiya, Coolay, Gugani mundtha, Dhanggi, Gulayi, Kanuli, Mangaloo, Melberre, Mi palathi, Mukuwara, Peletji, Wartuluj, Yundu

Synonyms

Barringtonia arborea (Roxb.) F. Muell.; Barringtonia australia Ewart & O. B. Davies; Barringtonia careya F. Muell.; Careya arborea var. australis Benth.; Careya australis (Benth.) F. Muell.; Cumbia australis Britten; Planchonia arborea var. australis Benth.; Planchonia careya Miers; Planchonia crenata Miers;