Scientific Name: Capparis Arborea
Common Name: Native Pomegranate
Indigenous Use
Young green sweet ripe fruit eaten raw.
When to Use
The fruit is usually ripe in March to May (Daleys Fruit, 2024)
Identification
Leaves: The leaves of Capparis arborea are ovate to oblong, usually measuring 5-10 cm in length and 15-50 mm in width. They are typically glabrous, though sometimes can be pubescent on the underside. The petiole is 5-15 mm long. Juvenile leaves are smaller, about 1-6 cm long, and may be nearly sessile. The plant also features spines on the branches, which are 4-15 mm long and can be straight or reduced on mature branches (PlantNET, 2024; Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, 2024).
Bark: The bark of Capparis arborea is smooth and dark, often with a greyish hue. It can become rougher as the tree ages, but it generally maintains a smooth appearance with some fissures. The branches are slender and may have small spines, especially on younger shoots (Daleys Fruit, 2024).
Flowers: The flowers of Capparis arborea are solitary or often appear in pairs, with pedicels that are 30-60 mm long. The petals are approximately 15 mm long and white, with a gynophore measuring 30-50 mm long. These flowers are notable for their numerous stamens, which give them a distinctive, attractive appearance (PlantNET, 2024; Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, 2024).
Fruit: The fruit is a globose drupe, about 30 mm in diameter, and green when immature. It ripens to a dark green and contains sweet, edible pulp. The fruit is typically borne on long stalks, 4-7 cm in length, and is usually ready for harvest from March to May (Daleys Fruit, 2024).
Ecosystems
Found in the below ecosystem/s.
Rainforests: Sub-tropical rainforests usually consist of three strata of trees with up to 60 species making up the canopy, many with large leaves. Palms and strangler figs are common and the undergrowth is luxuriant with many epiphytic or terrestrial ferns and orchids and abundant large climbers of many species. In Queensland, rainforests can be found in well-known locations like the Daintree Rainforest, Lamington National Park, and Mary Caincross Park.
References
PlantNET – FloraOnline. (2024). Capparis arborea. Retrieved from PlantNET.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. (2024). Capparis arborea. Retrieved from Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Daleys Fruit. (2024). Native Pomegranate. Retrieved from Daleys Fruit.
Cherikoff, V. and Jennifer Isaacs, The Bush Food Handbook: How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Sydney, 1992
Leiper, Glen, Muteroo: Plant use by Australian Aboriginal People. Eagleby South State School, Brisbane
Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D., & Rathie, K., 2008. Mountain to Mangroves: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch, Society for Growing Australian Plants.