Qandong, Michael's quandong
Elaeocarpus culminicola

Family: Elaeocarpaceae

What it is like

A shrub or bushy tree. It grows up to 10-25 m tall. It can have buttresses. The leaves are glossy and bright green. The are leathery and 12 cm long by 6 cm wide. The edges of the leaf have coarse teeth. The flower racemes are 7 cm long and the flowers 1.5 cm long. The flowers are pink and bell shaped. The fruit are blue, oval and 1.5 cm long.

There are about 360 Elaeocarpus species mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs a sunny sheltered position.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. The seed germinates erractically.

In Australia, flowering occurs August to Spetember and fruit are ripe February to March.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Elaeocarpus michaelii C. T. White; Elaeocarpus patens Knuth; Elaeocarpus populneoides Knuth; Elaeocarpus populneus Schltr.; Elaeocarpus rugulosus Knuth; Elaeocrapus sogerensis Baker.f.; Elaeocarpus viscosus Warb.;