Wild plum, Green plum
Buchanania obovata

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 4-10 m high. The young branches are softly hairy. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are thick and leathery. They vary in shape but are oblong and taper to the base. The blade is 5-25 cm long by 1.5-10 cm wide. They are a dull grey-green and have a prominent raised midrib. The flowers are small and cream. They are about 05. cm across. They occur in a group at the end of branches. The fruit is a smooth fleshy lens-shaped fruit with a stone inside. They are about 1-1.7 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. There is a single hard shelled seed. The fruit are edible.

There are about 25 Buchanania species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. An understorey tree in open forest. It grows on well-drained soils. It often grows along streams in dry areas. It is very frost sensitive. It grows best in humus rich, moist soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. Roots may be eaten after roasting and pounding.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed. It can also be grown by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bigigee, Dhurrpinda, Glai, Gorola, Gurumal, Kanmakhal, Mangkarrba, Mulugi, Munydjutj, Mgari-ngari, Wurrngin, Yulwandi

Synonyms

Buchanania muelleri Engl.; Buchanania muelleri var pilosa Engl; Buchanania oblongifolia W. Fitzg.;