Helicia australasica

F. Muell.

Creek silky oak, Austral oak

Proteaceae Edible: Fruit 30 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Helicia australasica, also known as Austral oak or creek silky oak, is a species of rainforest tree in the macadamia family Proteaceae, native to New Guinea and northern and northeastern Australia.

Description

A slender tree. It grows 5-10 m tall. The bark is smooth and dark grey. The leaves are alternate and smooth. They are oblong but taper to the base. They are 10-19 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. They are shiny green on top and paler underneath. The veins are distinct and sometimes the edges of the leaves have teeth. The flowers are creamy-white. The style sticks out. Flowers are 1-1.5 cm long and have a scent. Many flowers occur together on long shoots in the axils of leaves. The fruit is oval and fleshy. It is 1.5 cm long by 1 cm wide and purple black. There is thin flesh around one seed. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in monsoon forests near streams. It grows from sea level to 1100 m altitude in tropical Queensland. They need deep soils and a shady site.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed.

Production

Trees flower in August to November and fruit January to April.

Notes

There are about 90-120 Helicia species mostly in SE Asia with some in N Australia.

Synonyms

Helicia dentella SleumerHelicia glabrescens C. T. White

References (8)

Brock, J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 216
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 412
Dunlop, C.R., Leach, G.J. & Cowie, I.D., 1995, Flora of the Darwin Region. Vol 2. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 20. p 126
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1990, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 5. Lothian. p 285

Show all 8 references

Flora of Australia Volume 16, Elaeagnaceae, Proteaceae 1. Melbourne: CSIRO Australia (1995) p 395
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 75
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 46