Astroloma pallidum

R. Br.

Kick bush

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit

iNaturalist· cc-by

Description

A small shrub. It grows 10-50 cm high and spreads 50-100 cm wide. It can lie along the ground. There are many small branches and these are hairy. The leaves are 1.5 cm long and narrow. They taper to a sharp point. The edges have teeth and are hairy. The flowers are like tubes. They are 1l5 cm long and almost without stalks. They occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are white, pale pink or red. The fruit are round and 0.5 cm across. They are succulent and green.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It needs well drained soil. It can tolerate frost.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from cuttings.

Notes

There are about 20 Astroloma species.

References (4)

Bindon, P., 1996, Useful Bush Plants. Western Australian Museum. p 43.
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 115
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 250
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 234