Gardenia megasperma

F. Muell.

Wild gardenia

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit, Juice 75 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Gardenia megasperma is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae native to northern Australia.

Description

A small tree. It grows 3-6 m high. The branches are crooked. It loses many of its leaves during the dry season of the year. The leaves are crowded towards the end of branches. The leaves are broad and oval. They are 9-18 cm long by 6-13 cm wide. They are shiny green above and paler underneath. The flowers are large and white. They are 3-5 cm across. They have a sweet scent. They occur singly at the ends of branches. The fruit is hard and oblong. It is 5-7 cm long by 2.5-3 cm wide. They are brown and soft and sweet smelling when ripe. They have many seeds. The juice of the fruit is edible.

Edible Uses

The juice of the fruit is edible, and the seeds are sucked for their sweet sticky juice.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are sucked for the sweet sticky juice.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open forest on gravely soils. They need good drainage and a sunny aspect.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed should be sown fresh.

Notes

There are about 200 Gardenia species.

Also Known As

Anbarlbbirr

References (8)

Brock,J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 194
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 200
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1992, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 4. Lothian. p 333
Garde, M., et al, 2003, A Preliminary List of Kundedjnjenghmi Plant Names. Northern Land Council. (Arnhem Land, Australia)
Hardwick, G., 2001, Economically Useful Plants for Northern Australia: Master Species List. Crusader eBooks.

Show all 8 references

Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 257
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Calatogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 513
Wheeler, J.R.(ed.), 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region. CALM, Western Australian Herbarium, p 910