October glory, Potato Vine
Faradaya splendida

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

It is an evergreen climbing vine. It climbs to a height of 15 m. The stem is vigorous. The leaves are light green and glossy. They are oval or narrowly heart shaped. They are 10-40 cm long and 6-8 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 2-5 cm long. The leaves are fairly thin textured with glands at the base of the leaf blade. The flowers are white. They have 4 lobes and are cup shaped. They are 5 cm across. The occur in clusters at the ends of branches. The flowers have a scent. The fruit are cream coloured oval berries. They are 9 cm long by 6 cm across. They are edible. The white flesh of the fruit turns yellow when squashed. There is one seed inside. The seed is 4.5 cm long by 3.5 cm wide.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in the subtropics. It does best in rich moist soils. The soils need to be well drained. It needs a protected partly shaded position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows naturally in the lowland and upland rainforest. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), India, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Singapore

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by cuttings. Seed should be sown fresh. They germinate readily.

Fruit are produced August to April in Australia.

Its other names

Local names

Buku, Bunga faradaya, Mumini, Pitutu

Synonyms

Faradaya albertisii F. Muell.; Faradaya papuana Scheff.;