Austromyrtus dulcis

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]

Midgen berry
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Austromyrtus
Species:
A. dulcis
Binomial name
Austromyrtus dulcis
(C.T.White) L.S.Sm.
Occurrence data from the AVH
Synonyms[1]
  • Myrtus dulcis C.T.White

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 bushfood, eaten by indigenous Australians and non-indigenous people. The melt-in-the-mouth berries are sweet and aromatic, with a pleasant gingery flavour. While recognized as having good flavour qualities, the berries have not been commercialized due to harvesting and handling issues.

Midgen 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 Frazer Island., Wild Food Plants of Australia p. 35
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References
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  2. Low, Tim (1991). Wild food plants of Australia. Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia: HarperCollinsPublishers. p. 35. ISBN 0 207 16930 6.CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. Elliot, W.R., and Jones, D.L., Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants, 1982, ISBN 0-85091-143-5
  4. "information about Australia's Flora; Growing Native Plants".
  5. Wilson, Peter G. "Austromyrtus dulcis (C.T.White) L.S.Sm". Retrieved 13 July 2008.


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