Creek silky oak, Austral oak
Helicia australasica

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A slender tree. It grows 5-10 m tall. The bark is smooth and dark grey. The leaves are alternate and smooth. They are oblong but taper to the base. They are 10-19 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. They are shiny green on top and paler underneath. The veins are distinct and sometimes the edges of the leaves have teeth. The flowers are creamy-white. The style sticks out. Flowers are 1-1.5 cm long and have a scent. Many flowers occur together on long shoots in the axils of leaves. The fruit is oval and fleshy. It is 1.5 cm long by 1 cm wide and purple black. There is thin flesh around one seed. The fruit are edible.

There are about 90-120 Helicia species mostly in SE Asia with some in N Australia.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in monsoon forests near streams. It grows from sea level to 1100 m altitude in tropical Queensland. They need deep soils and a shady site.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Trees flower in August to November and fruit January to April.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Helicia dentella Sleumer; Helicia glabrescens C. T. White;