Corduroy tamarind
Mischarytera lautereriana

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree up to 30 m high. It spreads 6-8 m wide. The young shoots are sticky and bright red. The leaves are compound. The leaflets are alternate and along the stalk and have wavy edges. The leaflets occur as 8-16 leaflets which are 6-15 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The leaflets can have fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are 2-4 cm across. They hang in bunches. They can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The aril or layer around the seed is edible.

There are 3 Mischarytera species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in highland rainforest in Queensland Australia. In the Queensland tropics it grows between 150-1200 m altitude. It requires well drained soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fleshy layer around the seed can be eaten while fresh. It can be used to make jam.

Edible parts

Fruit aril

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. They are difficult to grow from cuttings.

Plants can be slow growing while young.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Arytera lautereriana (Bailey) Radlk.; Nephelium lautererianum F. M. Bailey;