Persoonia arborea

F.Muell.

Proteaceae Edible: Fruit 158 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Persoonia arborea, commonly known as tree geebung, is a species of large shrub or small tree that is endemic to Victoria, Australia.

Description

A tall shrub. It grows 4-9 m high and spreads 2-5 m wide. Young growth has reddish or white hairs. The new young branches are reddish-brown. The leaves are 3-10.5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are oblong or sword shaped. They are dark green above and paler underneath. The flower is about 1 cm across and pale yellow. They occur singly in the axils of the upper leaves. The fruit are fleshy and 1 cm long by 0.8 cm wide. They have one stone inside. They are green to yellow.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a sweet, fibrous pulp attached to one large seed, with a flavour somewhat like sweet cotton wool. Australian Aborigines have long relished it.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist wet forests. It needs well drained acid soils. It grows best in light shade. It can stand frosts.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know how hardy it will be in Britain. It is a slow growing species. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a warm position in full sun in a freely draining preferably sandy slightly acid soil, preferring a pH around 6.3 to 6.5. Soils should be low in nutrients, especially nitrates and phosphates.

Propagation

Scarify the seed and sow in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in autumn. Keep the seed tray in a sunny position through the following summer; germination should occur the next autumn, with around 46% success expected. Prick seedlings out into individual pots within 1–2 days of emergence, as the roots are very brittle and plants are easily lost. Grow on in the greenhouse for at least the first two winters, then plant out into permanent positions in early summer. Provide protection from winter cold for at least the first winter outdoors.

Other Uses

The wood is tough and hard.

Notes

There are about 90 Persoonia species. They grow in Australia. Many have fruit which are edible.

References (2)

Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1997, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 7. Lothian. p 208
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/