Antidesma parvifolium

F. Muell.

Currant Bush

Phyllanthaceae Edible: Fruit 97 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A spreading shrub or small tree. It grows 1.5-3 m high and spreads 1-2 m wide. Young shoots are slightly hairy. The leaves are 1.5-2.5 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. They are oval and blunt. It has a dense foliage. It loses its leaves during winter. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The male spike is 1-2.5 cm long and in the axils of leaves. The female stalk is 0.5-1.5 cm long. The fruit are 0.4 cm long and red.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw or used to make jams and jellies.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw. The fruit are used for jams and jellies.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in coastal scrubs. In north Queensland it grows from sea level to 900 m altitude. It also occurs on sandstone escarpments. It needs good drainage and regular watering. It occurs in southern Papua New Guinea.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Torres Strait,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Notes

There are about 100-170 Antidesma species.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	76.9	505	121	1.6	—	—	1.2	0.8

Also Known As

Anyuku, Mergey

References (10)

Brock, J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 92
Calvert, G., 2010, The Burdekin Delta Tree Guide. Lower Burdekin Landcare Association., Inc., Ayr p 35
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 198
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 173
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 209

Show all 10 references

Fell, D.G. & Stanton, D.J., 2015: The vegetation and flora of Mabuyag, Torres Strait, Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Culture 8(1):1-33. Brisbane. ISSN 1440-4788. (As Antidesma parviflora)
Garde, M., et al, 2003, A Preliminary List of Kundedjnjenghmi Plant Names. Northern Land Council. (Arnhem Land, Australia)
Habitat Management Profile – Saibai Island Appendix C p 114 (As Antidesma parviflora)
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 22
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 83