Antidesma parvifolium
F. Muell.
Currant Bush
(c) Anne Hoggett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Anne Hoggett
(c) Nick Lambert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
(c) Nick Lambert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The ripe fruit can be eaten raw or used to make jams and jellies.
Where to Find It
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.
Australia*, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Torres Strait,
How to Identify
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.
Nutrition Score: 36/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 76.9 | 505 | 121 | 1.6 | — | — | 1.2 | 0.8 |
How to Grow
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
Notes
There are about 100-170 Antidesma species.
Names & Synonyms
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
- 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
