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Planchonella australis - (R.Br.)Pierre.

Common Name Black Apple
Family Sapotaceae
USDA hardiness 11-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Along the coast and in gullies in adjacent plateaux[265].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Planchonella australis Black Apple


Planchonella australis Black Apple

 

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Summary

Black Apple or Planchonella australis is a subtropical, fast-growing, large tree reaching up to 25 m tall and 120 cm in trunk diameter found in Australia. It has shiny and dark green leaves and small white flowers. The purplish or black, globose fruits are eaten raw. Each fruit contains 2 - 5 seeds. The wood is used for high quality cabinet making. Plant is propagated by seed or cuttings. P. australis is also known by other common names such as wild plum, yellow buttonwood, black plum, and yellow bulletwood.


Physical Characteristics

 
Planchonella australis is a TREE. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Achras australis R.Br. Pouteria australis (R.Br.) Baehni Sapota australis (R.Br.) A.DC. Sersalisia australis (R.Br.) Domin. Sersalisia glabra A.Gray Sideroxylon australe (R.Br.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex F.Muell. Xantolis australis (R.Br.) Baehni

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[694 ]. Some forms are quit sweet[694 ]. The purplish or black, obovoid or globose fruit is 20 - 60mm long, containing 2 - 5 seeds that are each around 20mm long[365 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Furniture  Wood

Other Uses: The wood is hard and handsomely marked. It is used for high quality cabinet making[694 ].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant mainly of the subtropical regions of eastern Australia, just entering into the tropical regions in southern Queensland. The tree is slow-growing when young[694 ]. Spacing: 12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m) 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m).

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sown fresh it germinates within a few weeks[694 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (New South Wales (east), Queensland (east))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(R.Br.)Pierre.

Botanical References

265

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Readers comment

Tara Hoy   Tue Dec 11 10:57:16 2001

Aborigines ate/eat this food. Is best used to make jam.

Kevin Brooker   Wed Mar 23 21:49:39 2005

Propagation. Seed should be sown fresh. Stratify seed by sandpapering at one end until woody case is paper thin. May germinate within 3 weeks.

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Subject : Planchonella australis  
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