Atractocarpus hirtus

(F. Muell.) Puttock

Hairy Gardenia, Hairy Randia

Rubiaceae Edible: Fruit 300 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Atractocarpus hirtus, commonly known as the hairy gardenia or native loquat, is a plant in the coffee family Rubiaceae, a large family of some 6,500 species with a cosmopolitan distribution. This species is endemic to northeastern Queensland, Australia.

Description

A shrub or small tree. The leaves are simple and 4-25 cm long. Both sides of the leaves have rusty hairs. The flowers are white with a pale yellow patch in the centre. The fruit are 50 mm long by 18 mm wide. They occur singly in the axils of leaves. There are several seeds inside. These are about 7 mm across. The flesh is edible in small amounts.

Edible Uses

The flesh of the fruit is edible in small amounts.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in rainforest in NE Queensland in Australia. It suits moist shady situations.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Synonyms

Gardenia hirta F. MuellRandia hirta (F. Muell.) F. Muell.

References (4)

Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 240 (As Randia hirta)
Hinton, B & B., 1982, A Wilderness in Bloom. Wildflowers of tropical Australia. p 50 (As Randia hirta)
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 94 (As Randia hirta)
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 326 (As Randia hirta)