Native potato, Magabala, Bush banana, Green-flowered Milk Vine
Marsdenia viridiflora subsp. tropica

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A straggling climber. The stems are strongly twining. It grows 1-3 m tall. The young growth is bright green and with a few hairs. The leaves are 6-9.5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. They are dark green and shiny above and paler underneath. They are leathery and with light coloured veins. The flowers are grouped in the axils of leaves. There are a few flowers and they hang down. The flowers are 1-1.5 cm across. They are green to cream. The flowers are hairy towards the centre. The fruit are many seeded and 5-7 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are narrowly oval.

There are about 25 Marsdenia species. They are mostly tropical.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in northern Australia. It grows in open forest and woodland. Plants can die back in the dry season. It needs well drained soil and a sunny position. In northern Australia it grows from sea level to 760 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The roots have probably also been cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Albun, Anguwurrirda

Synonyms

Marsdenia leptophylla; Probably now Pergularia viridiflora