Wombat Berry, Orange Vine
Eustrephus latifolius

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

An evergreen vine. It forms a tuber at the base. This is 1-3 cm long. It climbs to a height of 10 m. It can spread over the ground. The stem is slender, wiry and twining and forms many branches. The leaves are oval or sword shaped and taper towards the tip. They are 6-10 cm long and have prominent veins. Sometimes the leaves are wavy along the edge. The flowers are white or pale pink and have 3 petals and 3 petal-like sepals. The flowers are clustered in the axils of the upper leaves. They are bell shaped. The fruit are round, orange berries. These split to reveal the shiny black seeds. The fruit are 1 cm across.

There is only one Eustrephus species. It is to be included in the Laxmanniaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It does best in light moist soil. It needs a protected and partly shaded position. It cannot tolerate drought but can withstand a light frost. Normally the temperature needs to be above 5°C. Seeds need a temperature above 13-16°C before planting.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Hawaii, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The fleshy root tubers are eaten. They can be eaten raw or cooked. The fruit can be eaten. It is the white flesh around the seed that is eaten. They should probably be roasted before eating.

Edible parts

Tuber, root, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed only germinates irregularly. Plants can be pruned after flowering. Plants can be divided after fruiting to give more plants to regrow.

Its other names

Local names

Buah beri oranye

Synonyms

Luzuriaga latifolia (Ker Gawler) K. Krause;