Davidson’s plum, Queensland Itch tree
Davidsonia pruriens
Family: Cunoniaceae
What it is like
A tall shrub or small tree. It grows up to 3-9 m tall. It spreads 1.5-5 m across. The trunk can be 30 cm across. The leaves are compound. There are 9-19 leaflets. These are 6-30 cm long. They are hairy. The leaflets have teeth along the edge. The fruit are 3-5 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. They hang in bunches in the axils of leaves. The surface of the fruit have fine golden hairs which are irritating. There are 2 seeds inside. The fruit are edible.
There are 2 Davidsonia species. It is high in anti-oxidants.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It grows naturally in rainforest in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens hot house. It needs well drained soil and is best in light shade. It is damaged by drought and frost. In tropical Queensland it grows between sea level and 1095 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Fiji, Pacific, Sri Lanka
How it is used for food
The fruit are stewed with sugar or made into jam or jelly. It is also used for salad dressings and sauce.
It is now grown commercially.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
It can be grown from fresh seed. It can also be grown from cuttings. Suckers can also be used.
It is slow growing. Once established it grows more rapidly.
Its other names
Local names
Do-rog, Ooray