Eupomatia laurina

Eupomatia laurina, commonly named bolwarra, native guava or copper laurel, is a species of plant in the primitive flowering-plant family Eupomatiaceae endemic to Australia and New Guinea.

Description

An evergreen shrub or tree. It grows to 6-10 m high and spreads to 1-3 m across. The bush can be upright or bend over. The stem is erect and sturdy. It is 10 cm across. It has a shrubby crown. The twigs have lines along them and have a large soft pith. The leaves are entire and a rich copper colour when young and become shiny green when mature. They are 5-22 cm long. The leaves have 7-17 pairs of side veins which curve and form a network near the leaf edge. The leaves have a smell when crushed. The flowers are yellow or pale green. The are round in bud and 1-1.5 cm across. The flower stalk can be 2 cm long. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit are 2 cm long and urn shaped. They can be 4 cm across and are berries looking like rose hips. They are succulent and pale green. They turn darker green when ripe. They hang singly on stalks produced in the axils of leaves. They contain many very small seeds. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A soft, clear pulp with a sweet, aromatic, pleasant taste. The flavour is somewhat reminiscent of a kiwi fruit (Actinidia spp.) or guava (Psidium quajava) with overtones of nutmeg. The globose to urn-shaped berries are green, turning brownish when fully ripe. They are 15 - 20mm in diameter and contain many small seeds. The juice of the fruit can be added to ice cream or yoghourt.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The fruit become almost black when fully ripe and then fall. The juice from the fruit can be used for ice cream or yogurt. The seeds are bitter and should be avoided.

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses are known.

Distribution

A tropical and subtropical plant. It does best in rich moist soils. It suits a protected sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows in the lowland rainforest. It can grow in full sun or shade. In Papua New Guinea is grows from sea level to 1250 m altitude. It needs well drained soil. It is often along creek banks. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It can grow in cooler places and tolerate light frosts. Melbourne Botanical gardens. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed or cuttings. The flesh is removed and the seed sown fresh. Seed can be slow to germinate. It can take 1-6 months to germinate. A temperature above 25°C is probably necessary. Flowers are pollinated by beetles.

Propagation

Propagate from seed.

Other Uses

The wood is soft and coarse-grained.

Production

Plants flower from November to March and fruit from January to June. The fruit fall to the ground when ripe.

Notes

There are 2 Eupomatia species.

Nutrition

Also Known As

Soli

References (33)

• Beasley, J., 2011, Plants of Tropical North Queensland - the compact guide. Footloose publications. p 132
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 465
• Caton, J.M. & Hardwick, R. J., 2016, Field Guide to Useful Native Plants from Temperate Australia. Harbour Publishing House. p 196
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 154, 195, 200
• Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 124 (Picture)

More from Eupomatiaceae

Eupomatia bennettii

Small Bolwarra