Planchonia careya

Cocky Apple

Lecythidaceae

Form and Size: A small straggly tree, 4-10m high; deciduous.

Distribution: Across northern Australia and down the east coast to about Fraser Island; in open forests and woodlands.

Leaves: Egg-shaped or spatula-shaped, tapering to the base, shiny light green above, dull beneath, softly leathery, margins having rounded teeth, 2.5-10cm x 3-6cm; turning rusty-orange before falling.

Bark: Grey, rough, corky, fissured.

Flowers: Large, fleshy, white with numerous pink and white stamens 5-6cm long; usually open in the evening and fall by next morning.

Flowering Period: July to October.

Fruit: Green, egg-shaped, smooth, fibrous inside, to 9cm x 4cm.

Cultivation/Notes: Propagate from fresh seed or cuttings or by layering. Seeds are viable for a short period only. The fruit were eaten by Aborigines and many parts of the plant were used for a wide range of medicinal purposes. The fruit are readily eaten by cockatoos and goats.