Tasmannia membranea

(F. Muell.) A. C. Sm.

Pepper tree

Winteraceae Edible: Fruit 18 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Tasmannia membranea, commonly known as pepper tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Winteraceae, and is endemic to north-eastern Queensland. It is a shrub or tree with lance-shaped or egg-shaped leaves, male and female flowers on separate plants, with two petals on each flower. The male flowers have 30 to 62 stamens, and the female flowers have a single carpel with 14 to 36 ovules, and the fruit is black.

Description

A shrub or small tree. The leaves are simple and 5-22 cm long. They occur alternately or in rings. The leaf base and leaf stalk are often red. The fruit are 14-18 mm long by 10-13 mm wide. They occur singly or in clusters in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. There are several small seeds. The flesh is edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit flesh is edible.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in the rainforest in NE Queensland.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Synonyms

Drimys membranea F. Muell.

References (2)

Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 282
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 86