Medicine Bush
Coelospermum reticulatum

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A straggling shrub. It grows 1-3 m tall. The leaves are opposite and stiff. They are oval and taper to the base. The leaves are light green with easy to see veins in a netlike pattern. The leaves are 5-9 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The flowers are white and like tubes. They are hairy inside and have a sweet smell. They are 1-1.5 cm long. They occur in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are berries. They are round, smooth and purple to black. They are 0.7-1 cm across with 3-4 seeds inside.

There are about 15 Coelospermum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the tropics and subtropics. It needs a sunny position. It grows in coastal scrub and extends along rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed which must be planted fresh.

Its other names

Local names

Mandjundum

Synonyms

Pogonolobus reticulatus F. Muell.;