Silky myrtle
Decaspermum humile

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 4-8 m tall. It can reach 25 m tall and have a trunk 45 cm across. The trunk is often crooked. The ripe fruit are black. The leaves are 2-8 cm long and 1.5-3 cm wide. The leaves are opposite, entire and oval. The fruit is a round, black berry. It has about 10 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It grows slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Brown myrtle, Currant myrtle, Grey persimmon

Synonyms

Decaspermum laxiflorum (Benth.) Domin [Illegitimate]; Myrtus sericocalyx C. T. White; Nelitris humilis Sweet ex D. Don; Nelitris paniculata var. laxiflora Benth.;