Persoonia subvelutina

L. Johnson

Velvety Geebung

Proteaceae Edible: Fruit 30 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Persoonia subvelutina, commonly known as velvety geebung, is a plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a spreading shrub or small tree with branchlets that are hairy when young, elliptic, lance-shaped, egg-shaped or spatula-shaped leaves, and yellow flowers arranged singly in leaf axils on a pedicel 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) long.

Description

A tall shrub. It grows 2-6 m high and spreads 1.5-3.5 m wide. The young growth is velvety. The bark is smooth and grey. The leaves are 3-7 cm long by 0.6-1.5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval or spoon shaped. They are alternate and can be crowded. They are deep green above and paler underneath. The edges of the leaves curve back. The flowers are 1.4 cm across and yellow. The fruit are 1.2 cm long by 1.2 cm wide. They are hairy.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a sweet, fibrous pulp attached to one large seed, tasting somewhat like sweet cotton wool, and is relished by Australian Aborigines.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It grows in subalpine woodland in temperate places in Australia. They suit cool regions with freely draining acid soil. They do best in shaded sites.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know how hardy it will be in Britain. 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 following autumn, with around 46% germination 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.