Austromyrtus dulcis
Midgen berry | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Austromyrtus |
Species: | A. dulcis
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Binomial name | |
Austromyrtus dulcis (C.T.White) L.S.Sm.
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Occurrence data from the AVH | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Austromyrtus dulcis is a species of plant native to eastern Australia. It grows as a small spreading shrub and is easily recognised by its characteristic berries that usually ripen in summer and autumn.[2] Common names include the midgen berry, midyim, and silky myrtle.[2]
Description
Austromyrtus dulcis is a small spreading shrub; 1 to 2 m (3 ft 3 in to 6 ft 7 in) in height. The leaves are 1–3 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, opposite, lanceolate to elliptical, glossy above with silky hairs beneath. The small white flowers are 7-10 mm in length, they have five petals and a large number of sepals, they are then followed by dotted mauve sweet edible berries which ripen in summer and autumn and contain three to nine pale brown seeds.[3][4]
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in New South Wales and Queensland,[5] from Grafton to Fraser Island. It occurs as a common understorey plant of heathland and woodlands and also growing on sandy soils and occasionally on the margins of rainforests.[2][4]
Uses
The berries are a popular traditional
Midgim is also popular in amenity horticulture as an adaptable shrub for a variety of situations, handling a range of soils and climatic conditions.
It springs up and grows like a wheat field .... one can go through acres of the scrub with its white, sweet-tasting berry until stopped by lagoon or salt water. It is the most sought-for berry or fruit on the island. Children will collect it by the tin-full, and even the elders will join with gusto in its eating.
— Thomas Welsby's description of the plant in relation with the native peoples on Fraser Island., Wild Food Plants of Australia p. 35
See also
- Ugni molinae
- Syzygium australe
- Eremophila debilis
- Billardiera scandens
- Enchylaena tomentosa
- Solanum aviculare
- Backhousia citriodora
- Smilax glyciphylla
References
- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ ISBN 0-207-16930-6.
- ISBN 0-85091-143-5
- ^ a b "information about Australia's Flora; Growing Native Plants".
- ^ Wilson, Peter G. "Austromyrtus dulcis (C.T.White) L.S.Sm". Retrieved 13 July 2008.