Pouteria australis – Black Apple (plant)

Description

Pouteria australis is a member of the Sapotaceae family, synonym Planchonella australis. A large tree (5-30m in habitat) native to the east coast rainforests of Australia.

Resembling plums in appearance, the edible fruit are 20–65 mm long, purplish or black, containing 2–5 brown and shiny seeds, 2 cm long. They ripen from September to November. The plant bleeds a milky latex when cut or broken. Pouteria australis is protogynous; that is, the female parts of the tree mature before the male parts, to promote outcrossing.

The fruit are large and surprising for Australia flora, fairly edible straight up, as is. They will soften after picking or fallen and once soft usually a magnet for fruit fly.

Care and Cultivation of Pouteria australis

Pouteria australis likes a full sun to part shade position with adequate moisture and regular fertiliser.

1 plant