Woolly Pear-fruit
Mischocarpus lachnocarpus

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 10-15 m high and spreads 8-12 m wide. Young growth has dense rusty hairs. The leaves are 5-15 cm long and they have leaflets along the stalk. There are 2-4 leaflets and they are 5-15 cm long by 2.5-7 cm wide. They are oval and sword shaped and stiff and leathery. They are dark green above and hairy underneath. The flower clusters are 2-16 cm long. They are clustered in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 0.3 cm across and greenish. The capsules are 1.3-2 cm long by 0.5-2 cm wide. They are rounded and with 2-3 angles. They are golden or orange-red. They are hairy.

There are 15 Mischocarpus species. They grow in SE Asia and Australia.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and in coastal districts. It tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1160 m altitude. It grows in well drained soil and can tolerate shade. It can tolerate some frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea

How it is used for food

Check edibility

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Woolly brush apple, Woolly fruited mischocarp

Synonyms

Cupania lachnocarpa (F. Muell.) F. Muell; Ratonia lachnocarpa F. Muell.;