Mango barked Carrot wood
Canarium australasicum

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A medium to tall tree. It grows up to 20-30 m high and spreads 10-15 m across. The bark is grey and is marked both by lumps and depressions. The inner bark has a mango like smell. The young shoots are smooth without hairs. The leaves are divided into 3-7 leaflets. The leaflets are 7-15 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They are oval and bright green and shiny on both surfaces. The flower clusters are borne near the ends of branches. The flowers are 0.5 cm across. They are deep red. The fruit is 1-1.5 cm long and has a hard stone. The fruit is blue or purple.

There are 80-95 Canarium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions. It grows in northern Australia along the Queensland coast. It is in wetter coastal rainforests. It grows between 10-1300 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The kernel is roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds kernel, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be sown while fresh. Germination can be improved by filing the seed coat. It is probable they can be grown by aerial layering.

Trees flower in November and December.

Its other names

Local names

Brown Cudgerie, Carrot Wood, Mango-bark

Synonyms

Bursera australasica F. M. Bailey; Canarium baileyanum Leenh.; Protium australasicum (Bailey) Sprague ;