Persoonia laurina

Pers.

Laurel Geebung

Proteaceae Edible: Fruit 453 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Persoonia laurina, commonly known as the laurel-leaved or laurel geebung, is a shrub of the family Proteaceae native to central New South Wales in eastern Australia. Found in sclerophyll forest, it grows to a height of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in). The yellow flowers appear in late spring.

Description

A small shrub. Young growth has rusty brown hairs. The leaves are 3.5-11 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. They are oval to oblong. They are opposite and wrap around the stem. They are light green and the edges curl back. They are thick and leathery. The flowers are 0.8 cm across. They are bright yellow and with rusty hairs. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are fleshy and with one stone inside. They are 1.3 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are green but turn purple as they ripen.

Edible Uses

The fruit are edible and can be eaten fresh when ripe.

Distribution

It grows in warm temperate locations. It grows on sandstone and in heath forest. It needs well drained acid soils. It can grow in light shade. It can tolerate some frost.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings of very young growth.

Notes

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

References (3)

Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 196
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1997, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 7. Lothian. p 219
Flora of Australia Volume 16, Elaeagnaceae, Proteaceae 1. Melbourne: CSIRO Australia (1995) p 62