Wild Currant, Currant-tree, Currantwood
Antidesma erostre
Family: Phyllanthaceae
What it is like
A small tree which grows 3-6 m tall. The tree has a stiff habit. Trees can grow to 20 m tall. It spreads to 2-4 m across. The bark is pale brown. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped and 5-10 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. Leaves are simple and shiny on both surfaces. They are smooth and without hairs and are drawn out into a long point. They have a slender leaf stalk. The female flower bunch has stalks of flowers around a common axis. The bunches are 2-4 cm long. They are slender and produced in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is about 5 mm across and 7 mm long. The fruit are oval, flattened and red. The fruit are acid and edible. There is one seed about 7 mm long by 5 mm across.
There are about 100-170 Antidesma species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is a plant for the tropics and subtropics. It grows in coastal and highland areas in north east Queensland in Australia. It needs a sunny position and well drained soils. In north Queensland it grows from sea level to 1150 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea
How it is used for food
The fruit can be used for desserts or jam.
It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Fresh seeds should be used.
Plants may be slow growing. Fruit are available March to November. (September to December).