Nutwood
Planchonella arnhemica

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tall shrub or small tree. It grows 4-10 m high and spreads 3-5 m wide. Young growth is yellowish and hairy. The leaves are 7-18 cm long by 2.5-8 cm wide. The are broadly oval and crowded near the ends of branches. They are thin textured, dull and dark green. They are hairy on both surfaces. The edges are wavy. The flowers are 0.4 cm long and greenish. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are berries. They are 2-3 cm across by 2-2.7 cm wide and oval. They are brown and with small hairs. There are 4-5 seeds. They are 1.3 cm long by 0.8 cm wide. They are brown and shiny.

There are about 100 Planchonella species. They are mostly in Asia and the Pacific.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can stand long dry periods. It needs well drained soil and a sunny location. It grows on sandy outcrops in the Kimberleys in northern Western Australia.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Mangarr

Synonyms

Achras arnhemica F. Muell. ex Benth.; Planchonella crocodiliensis R. Royen; Pouteria arnhemica (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Baehni; Sersalisia arnhemica (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Domin; Sideroxylon arnhemicum (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex F. Muell.; Sideroxylon portus-darwini Schwarz;