Rapanea crassifolia

Family: Primulaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m tall. The leaves are simple and 4-12 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The base of the leaf curves back. There are oil dots and red streaks on the leaves. The leaf stalk is very short. The flowers can be in the axils of leaves or on branches. The flowers have 4-5 petals that can be green, cream or orange. The fruit is fleshy and blue or purple. They are 4 mm long and wide. There is one seed and it is brown. Flora of Australia Volume 49, Oceanic Islands 1, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. (1994) p

There are between 150-200 Rapanea species. They occur in the tropics. Many are also named as Myrsine. Also put in the family Myrsinaceae.

Where it is found

It grows in rainforest and along the edge of forests. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 20 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Maesa crassifolia;