Hinau
Elaeocarpus dentatus
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
What it is like
A tree. It can grow 15-20 m high. The trunk can be 1 m across. The leaves are oblong and are white and hairy underneath. The leaves are tough and the edges are rolled. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are white. These hang in clusters of 8-12 flowers. The fruit are fleshy with a hard stone inside. The fruit are 18 mm long. The fruit ripen to grey-purple. The flesh is edible.
There are about 360 Elaeocarpus species mostly in the tropics.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. In New Zealand it grows from sea level to 600 m altitude. It is best in rich, well drained soils and a protected sunny position. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, New Zealand (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The flesh of the fruit is used cooked. It is also pickled and used in curries. The kernel of the fruit is used to make a floury meal and eaten as a bread after baking.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings.
It is slow growing.