Psydrax attenuatus

(R.Br. ex Benth.) S. T. Reynolds & R. J. F. Hend.

Native currant, Native citrus

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 27 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 3 m high. The leaves are oval and taper to the base. The tip is pointed. The leaves are 6.5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The flowers are white or cream. They have 5 petals. They are small and in groups in the axils of leaves. The fruit is black and fleshy. It is about 0.5 cm long.

Edible Uses

The black fleshy fruit is eaten fresh or dried (soaked in water before consumption), though much of the content is inedible seed.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are enjoyed although much of the content is seed which cannot be eaten. CAUTION: Large quantities can cause a rash on the lips and tongue. Dried berries can be soaked in water and then eaten.

Known Hazards

Large quantities of the fruit can cause a rash on the lips and tongue.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in monsoon forest and open Eucalypt forest. It suits sand hills and plains. It grows from sea level to 800 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Notes

There are about 200 Canthium species.

Synonyms

Canthium attentuatum R. Br. ex Benth.Plectronia attentuata (R. Br. ex Benth.) C. A. GardnerCanthium latifolium?

References (6)

Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 437 (As Canthium attenuatum)
Fl. austral. 3:421. 1867 (As Canthium attenuatum)
Latz, P., 1996, Bushfires and Bushtucker. IAD. p 136 (As Canthium attenuatum)
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 119 (As Canthium attenuatum)
Williams, K.A.W., 1999, Native Plants of Queensland Volume 4. Keith A.W. Williams North Ipswich, Australia. p 94(As Canthium attenuatum)

Show all 6 references