Soft Geebung
Persoonia mollis

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A tall shrub. It can be 1.5-5 m high and spread 1-4.5 m wide. Young growth has white or copper coloured hairs. The bark is pale grey to brown. The leaves are 4-10 cm long by 0.6-1.5 cm wide. They are narrowly sword shaped. They can be alternate, opposite or in rings. They are soft and green above with soft white hairs underneath. The edges curve back slightly. The flowers are 1 cm across and yellow. They occur singly and are hairy. They can be on leafy stalks 15 cm long. The fruit is fleshy with a hard stone inside. They are 0.8 cm long by 0.7 cm wide. They are green or purplish brown. There are several sub species.

There are about 90 Persoonia species. They grow in Australia. Many have fruit which are edible.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate locations. It grows on sandy soils and can be in wet or dry forests. It needs good drainage and an acid soil. It does best with light shade. It can stand heavy frosts. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten is eaten but the skin is removed. The fruit falls off and is black when it is ripe.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings of very young growth.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Possibly Persoonia juniperina var. mollis;