Kerosene tree, Rosewood tree
Erythroxylum ellipticum
Family: Erythroxylaceae
What it is like
A tall shrub. It grows 6-12 m high and spreads 3-5 m wide. The small branches are flattened. The leaves are oval and thin in texture. The tip is blunt. Leaves are light green and 3-8 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. Flowers are white. They are 0.4 cm across. They occur in clusters of 3-6 in the axils of leaves. The fruit is oblong and red. It is 0.6-0.8 cm long.
There are about 250 Erythroxylum species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry scrub in tropical Australia. It is ofte on sandstone and rocky creek beds.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The gum is eaten as a sweet.
Edible parts
Fruit, gum
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from fresh seed.
Its other names
Local names
Beleman, Burlburl, Marlaliny