Gardenia vilhelmii

Domin

Leichhardt’s Bread-Tree, Bread-Tree of the Lynd, Breadfruit tree

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit 31 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Gardenia vilhelmii is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae native to northeastern Australia.

Description

A small to tall shrub. It grows 2-7 m high and spreads 1-2 m wide. The young shoots are sticky and shiny. The bark is smooth with powdery flakes. This gives it a mottled appearance. The stems are stiff and woody and brittle. The leaves are 1.5-3 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. They are oval and thin textured. They are clustered at the ends of branches and are dark green. The flowers are 1.5 cm across. They are white with a green tube. The flowers have a scent. The flowers occur singly on the ends of short shoots. The fruit is fleshy with a hard stone. It is 1-2 cm across. It is nearly round and green but turns yellow when ripe. The fruit is edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit is edible and can be eaten fresh.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in open situations near streams. It is often on sandy soils. It can loose its leaves during the dry season. It grows from sea level to 600 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The seed should be sown while fresh.

Notes

There are about 200 Gardenia species.

Synonyms

Gardenia edulis F.Muell

References (5)

Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 200
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 441
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 36
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1992, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 4. Lothian. p 335
Milson, J., 2000, Trees and Shrubs of north-west Queensland. DPI p 274