Elaeodendron australe

Vent.

Red Olive-berry, Red Olive-plum, Scarlet Olive-wood

Celastraceae Edible: Fruit ? 1,271 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Elaeodendron australe, commonly known as red olive-berry, red-fruited olive plum, or blush boxwood, is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a shrub or small tree with egg-shaped to oblong leaves with a wavy margin, yellowish green male and female flowers on separate plants and fleshy orange-red fruit.

Description

A tall shrub or small tree. It grows 5-10 m high and spreads 3-5 m wide. The bark is dark brown and wrinkled. The young shoots are bright green and shiny. The leaves are 4-11 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The leaves are dark green and shiny above and paler underneath. They are thick and leathery. The edges can have teeth. The flowering groups are 2-5 cm long and in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 0.4-0.6 cm across. They are greenish. Male and female flowers are separate. The fruit is fleshy with a hard stone inside. It is 1.2-1.6 cm long and oval and bright red or orange.

Edible Uses

The fruit is potentially edible.

Medicinal Uses

Stem bark material of this species has exhibited anti-tumour activity.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in drier rainforests and moist open forest in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It can grow in tropical, subtropical and temperate locations. It needs a well drained soil. It is damaged by frost or drought. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from fresh seed. They take about 6 months to germinate. It can be grown from cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - best sown fresh, it generally germinates easily though can take a number of months. Cuttings are slow to take root.

Other Uses

The wood is white veined, hard, close-textured. It is used especially for cabinet making. Used for the manufacture of staves, oars and shingles.

Production

Plants grow quite quickly.

Notes

There are about 40 Elaeodendron species.

Synonyms

Cassine australis (Vent.) KuntzeCassine integrifolia (Tratt.) Domin.Elaeodendron integrifolium (Tratt.) SweetPortenschlagia australis (Vent.) Tratt.Portenschlagia integrifolia Tratt.

References (6)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 377
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 115
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 390 (Photo)
Jard. Malmaison 2: ad t. 117. 1805
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 15

Show all 6 references