Botanical Name: Pleiogynium timoriense
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Pleiogynium
Species:P. timoriense
Synonyms:
*Icica timoriensis DC.
*Owenia cerasifera F.Müll.
*Pleiogynium cerasiferum (F.Müll.) R.Parker
*Pleiogynium cerasiferum var. glabratum Domin
*Pleiogynium papuanum C. T. White
Common Names: Burdekin plum,Tulip plum
Habitat: Burdekin plum is native to Malesia, Australia and the Pacific Islands.It occurs in Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Australia (south-eastern Queensland), the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Tonga at elevations from sea level to 1000 meters. Growing in drier rain forest and monsoon fores.
Description:
Burdekin plum is a semi-deciduous large fruit-bearing tree can naturally reach up to 20 m high with a plank buttresses. but in cultivation generally grows to approximately 12 m. It has a dense canopy with glossy dark green leaves 4-10 x 2-6 cm and rough dark bark. Stalk of the terminal leaflet significantly longer than those of the lateral leaflets. The tree has yellowish-green dioecious flowers which flower between January and March and later grow into a fruit. Flower calyx lobes about 0.6-1 mm long with ovate petals, about 1.7-3.8 mm long. Filaments about 1.3-2.3 mm long. The fruit is depressed-obovoid, about 20-25 x 20-38 mm. The fruit’s flesh is generally plum colored however, white varieties have been reported. The fruit is edible when ripe.
Fruit must be removed from tree to ripen for several days in a dark, damp place. Native aboriginals are known to have buried the fruit underground to ripen.
Cultivation:
A plant of the hot, tropical lowlands, growing in areas with medium rainfall
Prefers a well-drained, reasonably rich soil.
A fairly slow-growing tree.
A usually dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Edible Uses: Fruit can be cooked, eaten raw or used in jellies, jams and preserves. It is used to flavour meat, or fermented into wine.
Medicinal Uses:The fruit has many health benefits but medicinal uses are not yet found.
Other Uses: A good quality wood, it is used for turnery and cabinet joinery
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiogynium_timoriense
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Pleiogynium+timoriense
