Osbeckia
Osbeckia australiana

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A slender shrub. It grows to 1.5-2 m high and spreads 0.5-1.5 m wide. The leaves and stem are hairy. The leaves are opposite and narrow. The have hairs on both sides. The leaf blade is 3-7 cm long by 0.4-0.9 cm wide. It is dull green above and has 3 distinct veins along it. The flowers are purple with yellow stamens in the centre. There are 5 petals. The flowers are 1.5-4 cm across. The flowers occur singly at or near the ends of branches. The fruit have a woolly pulp of fibres. They are nearly round and 0.8-1.2 cm across. They are cream-brown when ripe. There are many small seeds inside.

There are about 60 Osbeckia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in sandstone country on moist shady banks near freshwater streams. Plants need shade. It grows in monsoonal rainforests in northern Australia. It is damaged by frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The young fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit - young

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Osbeckia perangusta F.Muell.; Osbeckia koolpinyahensis Sw.;