Black apple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black apple |
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| Fluted trunk of the black apple at Watagans National Park, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pouteria
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| Species: |
australis
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
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The Black Apple, known scientifically as Pouteria australis, is a rainforest tree. It is also called Planchonella australis. This tree is native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. You might also hear it called the wild plum or black plum.
Contents
What is the Black Apple Tree Like?
The Black Apple tree can grow quite tall, up to 30 meters (about 98 feet) high. Its trunk can be as wide as 120 centimeters (about 47 inches). The trunk often has a wavy or ridged shape. The bark is rough and brown.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves are thick and feel leathery. They are usually 8 to 16 centimeters (3 to 6 inches) long. The top side of the leaf is shiny, while the bottom is a lighter green. The leaves are somewhat diamond-shaped. The flowers grow near where the leaves meet the stem.
Fruit of the Black Apple
The fruit looks a lot like a plum. It is edible and can be 20 to 65 millimeters (about 1 to 2.5 inches) long. The fruit is purplish or black when ripe. Inside, there are 2 to 5 shiny brown seeds, each about 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) long. The fruit usually ripens between September and November. If you cut or break the plant, a milky white liquid comes out.
Where Does the Black Apple Grow?
This tree grows along the eastern coast of Australia. You can find it from Bulburin in Queensland down to the Illawarra region of New South Wales. It grows in different kinds of rainforests. Some of the largest trees are found on the red soil of the MacPherson Range.
How Was the Black Apple Named?
The first Europeans to write about this tree were from Captain James Cook's journey in 1770. Later, in 1810, a botanist named Robert Brown gave it the name Achras australis. In 1942, it was given its current scientific name, Pouteria australis. Another name, Planchonella australis, was given in 1890. The Black Apple belongs to a large group of trees called Pouteria. These trees grow in tropical areas around the world, from South America to Australia.
What Animals Eat the Black Apple?
The fruit of the Black Apple is a food source for some animals. For example, the green catbird enjoys eating the fruit. Rodents and insects also eat the seeds. A scientist named Tim Flannery has suggested something interesting. He thinks that because these rainforest trees have such large fruit, there might have once been very large fruit-eating birds, like a cassowary, living in these areas. These birds would have helped spread the seeds.
Can You Grow a Black Apple Tree?
Yes, the Black Apple tree is quite easy to grow. It grows quickly and adapts well to different conditions. It likes soil that drains well but also stays moist. Giving it extra fertilizer can help it grow even better. This tree can also handle a bit of frost. Because it's easy to grow, it's often used in projects to replant forests. You can grow new trees from its seeds or from cuttings.
What Are the Uses of the Black Apple?
The fruit of the Black Apple is edible. You can eat it straight from the tree. It has a sweet and fibrous flesh. However, sometimes you might find maggots inside the fruit. People have reported that the taste can vary. Indigenous Australians in the Gosford area traditionally ate the seeds. In 1889, a book called 'The useful native plants of Australia' mentioned that Indigenous people in the Illawarra and Brisbane Waters areas called the tree "Jerra-wa-wah". Early European settlers also used the tree for its timber. The wood has a nice yellow pattern and is hard. It was used for making things like rulers.
