Planchonella australis

Taxobox
name = "Planchonella australis"


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ericales
familia = Sapotaceae
genus = "Planchonella"
species = "P. australis"
binomial = "Plachonella australis"
binomial_authority =(R.Br.) Pierre

synonyms = "Pouteria australis"

Black apple, "Planchonella australis" (or "Pouteria australis") is a medium to tall rainforest tree native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.

Leaves are simple, 8–16 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, thick and leathery, upper surface shiny, lower surface paler green. The edible fruit are 20–50 mm long, purplish or black, containing 3–5 brown and shiny seeds, 2 cm long. [ PlantNET, "Planchonella australis" plant profile. [http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Planchonella~australis] ] The plant has a milky latex-like sap.

Uses

The tree was originally harvested for its timber by colonialists.

Black apple fruit is also edible out-of-hand. It has a sweet and fibrous flesh.

References