Dichapetalum papuanum

Family: Dichapetalaceae

What it is like

A bushy shrub up to 2 m tall. A shrub which climbs by attaching by roots from the nodes. Young shoots are hairy. The small branches are angular. The leaves are simple and oval or sword shaped. They are 12 cm long by 4 cm wide. They are bright green with wavy edges. The leaf stalk is 2-3 cm long. The flowers occur in clusters. They are small (0.5 cm across) and cream or green. The fruit are fleshy and orange. They have 1-4 lobes. They are about 1.5 cm long. They are edible.

There are 200 Dichapetalum species. Most are in Africa.

Where it is found

It grows in hill forest. A tropical and subtropical plant. It needs a sheltered position. It needs a well aerated soil. It suits a shady position. In tropical Queensland it grows between sea level and 1130 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The leaves are poisonous. The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

They can be grown from fresh seed. They can possibly also be grown from cuttings.

Plants are slow growing. In Australia the fruit ripen in April to May.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chailletia papuana Becc.; Dichapetalum australianum C. T. White; Dichapetalum glabratum K. Krause; Dichapetalum moluccanum Merr.; Dichapetalum pullei K. Krause;