Billardiera scandens

Taxobox
name = "Billardiera"


image_caption = This plate, engraved by James Sowerby and published in "A specimen of the botany of New Holland" (1793) along with the original description of the plant, has since been designated the lectotype for the species.cite journal | author = Cayzer, L. W.; Crisp, M. D.; Telford, I. R. H. | year = 2004 | title = Cladistic analysis and revision of "Billardiera" (Pittosporaceae) | journal = Australian Systematic Botany | volume = 17 | issue = 1 | doi = 10.1071/SB03028 | pages = 83]
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Apiales
familia = Pittosporaceae
genus = "Billardiera"
species = "B. scandens"
binomial = "Billardiera scandens"
binomial_authority = Sm.

"Billardiera scandens", commonly known as Apple Berry or Apple Dumpling,cite web | title = Australian Plant Common Names Database | url = http://www.anbg.gov.au/common.names/ | accessdate = 2007-07-13] is a small shrub or twining plant of the Pittosporaceae family which occurs in forests in the coastal and tableland areas of all states and territories in Australia, apart from the Northern Territory and Western Australia. [cite book|author=Wrigley J.W. and Fagg M.|year=1979|title=Australian Native Plants|publisher=William Collins Publishers Sydney, Australia|isbn=0-00-216416-7] It has a silky touch and appearance that becomes more brittle as the dense growth matures. The inflorescence consists of a single or paired yellow flowers, pink-tinged yellow sepals and bright yellow petals and is attached to a hairy drooping peduncle. The summer flush produces fruit of oblong berries up to 30 mm long, initially green in colour and covered in fine hair - somewhat akin to a tiny kiwifruit in appearance.

The flowers and fruit are attractive to both birds and people. The fruits, which only ripen after dropping to the ground, are valued as an Australian bush food and are variously described as tasting like stewed apples or kiwifruit. They were eaten by Australian Aborigines either in their ripened state or by roasting the unripened fruit. Botanist Joseph Maiden noted in 1898 that children of European settlers in the Port Jackson area, where it is commonly found, had been eating the berries since the foundation of the settlement in 1788. [cite book|author=Low,T.| title=Wild Food Plants Of Australia| publisher=Angus & Robertson|location= Australia | year=1991 | isbn=0207169306]

It is a popular choice in Australian gardens, especially those favouring indigenous plants as a rambling yet non-dominant shrub, especially beneath eucalypts and between other native species. The species is also grown in gardens around the world and is easily propagated and maintained. It is an adaptable plant, and will withstand a wide range of conditions, including mild frost, semi-shade and periods of dryness although it performs best in moist conditions. It also tolerates a wide variety of soils, including clay. [cite book|author=Greig, D.| title=The Australian Gardener’s Wildflower Catalogue| publisher=Angus & Robertson|location= Australia | year=1987 | isbn=0207154600]

"B. scandens" was first published in 1793 by James Edward Smith, in his "A Specimen of the Botany of New Holland". In 1819 the genus was renamed "Labillardiera" by Josef August Schultes, but this was later declared illegal under the laws of botanical nomenclature. A cladistic analysis of the genus in 2004 resulted in an expanded circumscription of this species, encompassing material that was previously placed in "B. angustifolia", "B. brachyantha", "B. daphnoides", "B. latifolia" and "B. canariensis". All of these names are now considered taxonomic synonyms of "B. scandens".APNI | name = "Billardiera scandens" Sm. | id = 834]

References

*cite web | url = http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Billardiera~scandens | title = "Billardiera~scandens" Sm. | accessdate = 2007-07-13 | author = Conn, B.J. | work =New South Wales Flora Online | publisher =PlantNET
*cite web | url = http://asgap.org.au/b-sca.html | title = Billardiera scandens | accessdate = 2007-07-13 | date = 2001-05-18 | work = | publisher = Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants

External links

* [http://asgap.org.au/jpg/980714.jpgAssociation of Societies for Growing Australian Plants - "Billardiera scandens" (photo)]