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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
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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
Temperature Converter
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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
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.
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