Pilidiostigma tetramerum

L. S. Sm.

Myrtaceae Edible: Fruit 2 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub. It grows 1.5-3 m high and spreads 2-3 m across. The young growth is bronze to red. There are many branches. They are spreading and 4 angled. The leaves are simple and 3-9 cm long by 0.6-2.5 cm wide. They are sword shaped and taper to the base. They are dark green above and paler underneath. The flowers are about 1 cm across and creamy-white. There are 4-12 flowers together in the axils of leaves. The fruit are 15-20 mm long by 11-17 mm wide. They occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are black when ripe. There are 1-3 seeds. These are 7 mm long. The flesh is edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit flesh is edible.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in the rainforest in NE Queensland in Australia. It grows from sea level to 1200 m altitude. It suits tropical and subtropical locations. It needs acid soil.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from fresh seed.

References (4)

Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 220
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 350
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1997, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 7. Lothian. p 296
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 68