Midgen berry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Midgen berry |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Austromyrtus
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| Species: |
dulcis
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| Occurrence data from the AVH | |
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The Midgen berry (scientific name: Austromyrtus dulcis) is a special plant from eastern Australia. It's a small, spreading shrub. You can easily spot it by its yummy berries. These berries usually get ripe in summer and autumn. People also call this plant the midyim or silky myrtle.
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What Does the Midgen Berry Look Like?
The Midgen berry plant is a small, bushy shrub. It usually grows about 1 to 2 meters tall. Its leaves are small, about 1 to 3 centimeters long. They are shiny on top and have soft, silky hairs underneath.
In spring, the plant grows tiny white flowers. These flowers are about 7 to 10 millimeters long. They have five petals and many sepals (which are like small leaves that protect the flower).
After the flowers, the plant produces sweet, edible berries. These berries are a lovely mauve color and have tiny dots on them. They ripen in summer and autumn. Each berry holds about three to nine light brown seeds inside.
Where Does the Midgen Berry Grow?
The Midgen berry plant is found in two Australian states: New South Wales and Queensland. You can find it from a town called Grafton all the way up to Fraser Island.
This plant often grows in open areas like heathlands and woodlands. It likes sandy soils. Sometimes, you can also find it growing near the edges of rainforests.
How Do People Use Midgen Berries?
The berries of the Midgen berry plant are a popular traditional bushfood. Both indigenous Australians and other people enjoy eating them. These berries are sweet and have a lovely smell. They taste a bit like pepper or ginger.
Even though the berries taste great, they are not sold in many shops. This is because it can be tricky to pick them and handle them without squishing them.
The Midgen berry plant is also popular for gardening. It's a tough shrub that can grow in many different types of soil. It can also handle various weather conditions, making it a good choice for gardens.
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.
See also
In Spanish: Austromyrtus dulcis para niños
