Purple Apple-berry, Mountain Blue Berry
Billardiera longiflora
Family: Pittosporaceae
What it is like
A slender woody plant. It has twining stems. It climbs over other plants. It grows 2-4 m tall. The leaves are narrow. They are produced alternately. The leaves are dark green and shiny. They are 2-5 cm long by 0.3-0.5 cm wide. The flowers have 5 petals and hang downwards. They are greenish-yellow and flushed with purple. The flowers are bell shaped. They are 1-3 cm long. The fruit is a berry. It is purple. It is 2 cm long and fleshy. It contains many seeds.
There are about 25 Billardiera species. They grow in Australia.
Where it is found
A temperate plant. It grows in cool, wet forests. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in full sunlight. It can stand light frosts. In Tasmania it grows to 900 m altitude. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin), USA
How it is used for food
The purple fruit is eaten. They are also pureed or added to fruit salads. They can be used for jams, jelly and chutney.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seeds do not germinate regularly. They can be grown from cuttings. Getting cuttings to grow is difficult.
Plants flower from October to January.
Its other names
Local names
Climbing blueberry