Black Apple
| Common name of tree | Black apple / Yellow Buttonwood |
| Indigenous name of tree | Jerra-wa-wah (in NSW) |
| Average life of tree | ?? unknown at this point |
| Years until first fruits | 3-5 years |
| Fruiting season | September – November, every couple of years |
| Number of years tree will fruit | ?? unknown at this point |
| Type of fruit | Black-skinned, whitish to pinish fleshed edible drupe with large seeds (seeds likely edible) |
| Country/region of origin | Australia, Illawarra NSW to Central QLD (rainforest) |
| Average rainfall in home range | 1000-1700 mm |
| Latin name family | Planchonella australis, synonym Pouteria australis SAPOTACEAE |
| Other products/benefits | Cabinet wood, carving wood |
| Shape of tree/profile | Tall fluted trunk with dense canopy |
| Height diameter of trunk (DBH) extent of canopy | 10-12 garden, 12-30m rainforest up to 1.2 m 6-8 m garden, 8-10 m rainforest |
| Challenges or special requirements | · fruit can get maggots · when young needs protection from afternoon sun · eliminate grass competition · enjoys fertiliser · likes well drained soil · first flowers are female, appearing in spring, male flowers following shortly after – self pollinating |
| Interesting facts | · Fluted trunk, can be slightly buttressed · Bark is a reddish brown colour, roughish texture · Pale green cylindrical flowers · leaves are hairless, dark green and glossy on top, paler but also shiny underside |
| Personal experience | Foraged fruits at Dingo Tops |
| sources | https://allcreativedesigns.com.au/pages/galltrees.html#sp_B https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouteria_australis https://www.indigigrow.com.au/product-page/black-apple-pouteria-australis-140mm-pot-size https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/plant/Planchonella-Australis-Black-Apple.htm Wild Food Plants of Australia, Tim Low |
About The Author
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Jan Hill says:
Hi I have a few Black Apple seeds and want to germinate them. My daughter has 50 acres in Pappinbarra NSW and they would like me to germinate the seeds to be planted on their property.
I cannot see anywhere there is advice the best way to germinate these seeds. I realise there may be better ways to get a good result. Can you advise me of this please?
I have been unable to pruchase any seedlings from nursery websites.
kind regards
Jan Hill
jhill02@bigpond.com
Chrissy-Tiina Laurikainen says:
I have grown from this plant from seed (with no pre-treatment or fertilizers) & found it emerged when conditions were favourable (ie. enough rain to keep soil moist) & was tough enough to endure droughts (which caused black mildew & appeared to die-off)…this plant has surprised me by surviving & thriving whenever the soil stays moist!
I think it would make a fantastic crop due because it is so hardy. Great choice!
P.S. I found some info about growing conditions, propagation & more…
Atlas of Living Australia – https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2895601
Dave’s Garden – https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/191580/
Garden Tags – https://www.gardentags.com/plant-encyclopedia/pouteria-australis-syn-planchonella-australis/15964