Tropical Qandong
Elaeocarpus largiflorens var. largiflorens

Family: Elaeocarpaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows up to 12-20 m tall and spreads 5-12 m wide. The bark is brown and has pustules on it. The young shoots have dense brown hairs. The leaves are simple and 9-21 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. The edges of the leaves are often curved inwards near the base. They are glossy on top and paler underneath. The flowering shoots are 4-8 cm long and in the axils of the upper leaves. The flowers are 1.2 cm across and white. The fruit are 16-21 mm long by 10-14 mm wide. They hang in bunches in the axils of leaves. There is one seed inside. The seed is 18 mm long. The flesh of the fruit is edible.

There are about 360 Elaeocarpus species mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

It suits tropical and subtropical regions. It grows naturally in rainforests in Queensland in Australia. It grows between sea level and 1400 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Elaeocarpus largiflorens C. White;