Guioa lasioneura

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Silky Tamarind, Woolly-nerved Guioa

Sapindaceae Edible: Fruit 43 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Guioa lasioneura, commonly known as silky tamarind or woolly-nerved Guioa, is a species of plant in the maple and lychee family Sapindaceae. It is native to northern and central parts of eastern Queensland, Australia.

Description

A tree up to 15 m tall. It spreads to 3-5 m wide. It can have buttresses. The leaves are compound and alternate. There are 2-4 leaflets and these are 3-13 cm long. The leaflets can have rusty hairs. The fruit is 8-14 mm long by 10-22 mm wide. They occur in bunches in the axils of leaves. There are 1-3 seeds. These have an orange aril or layer around them. This aril is edible.

Edible Uses

The orange aril surrounding the seeds is edible.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical regions. Plants need some shade when young. It grows naturally in rainforest in Central Eastern Queensland in Australia. It grows from sea level to 1470 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The seed needs to be planted fresh.

Notes

There are about 64-80 Guioa species. They are mostly in the Asian tropics.

References (6)

Cooper, W. & Cooper, W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 154
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 490
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1990, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 5. Lothian. p 166
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 81
Jones, D. L., 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 127

Show all 6 references

Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 243