''Davidsonia'' is a genus containing three
rainforest
Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...
tree species native to Australia, that are commonly known as the Davidson or Davidson's plum.
[ The fruits superficially resemble the European plum, but are not closely related. All species have an edible sour fruit with burgundy-coloured flesh and are highly regarded as gourmet bushfood.
*'']Davidsonia jerseyana
''Davidsonia jerseyana'', also known as Davidson's plum or Mullumbimby plum, is a small, slender subtropical rainforest tree up to high. The hairy leaves are compound and long, with 11–17 leaflets. It is endemic to a restricted area of nort ...
'', Davidson's plum or Mullumbimby plum, is a slender small tree, generally 5 metres high, native to lowland subtropical rainforests of New South Wales. It is considered an endangered species in the wild, but is widely cultivated for its pleasantly sour fruit that is used in jam, wine, ice-cream and sauces.
*''Davidsonia johnsonii
''Davidsonia johnsonii'', commonly known as smooth Davidson's plum, is a small tree native to rainforests of eastern Australia. The leaves are compound, glossy and hairless. It is a very rare tree in the wild, but is cultivated for its edible ...
'', smooth Davidson's plum, is a small tree with a spreading canopy and smooth leaves, native to New South Wales and southeast Queensland. It is also considered an endangered species in the wild but is not widely cultivated because of its infertile seeds. It is propagated vegetatively from cuttings or root division.
*''Davidsonia pruriens
''Davidsonia pruriens'', also known as ooray, Davidson's plum, or Queensland Davidson's plum, is a medium-sized rainforest tree of northern Queensland, Australia.
The leaves are large and compound. The edible dark burgundy colored fruit is p ...
'', Ooray or Queensland Davidson's plum, is a taller tree than the other two species, reaching up to 12 metres high. It is also slender and has larger fruit which are produced in large clusters from the trunk or branches.
Small-scale plantations in New South Wales and Queensland supply the demand, mainly from ''Davidsonia jerseyana'' and ''Davidsonia pruriens''.
Gallery
Image:Davidsonia_jerseyana_flower1.JPG, ''Davidsonia jerseyana'', Davidson's Plum, flower & trunk.
Image:Davidsonia_jerseyana_flower2.JPG, ''Davidsonia jerseyana'' flower & trunk, Nimbin, New South wales, Australia.
Image:Davidsonia_jerseyaqna_fruit1.jpg, ''Davidsonia jerseyana'', Davidson's plum, Nimbin, New South Wales, Australia.
Image:Davidsonia_johnsonii1.JPG, ''Davidsonia johnsonii'' leaf, smooth Davidson's plum. Cultivated tree Northern NSW, Australia.
Image:Davidsonia pruriens flowers.jpg, ''Davidsonia pruriens'' flowers
Image:Davidsonia pruriens flowers and foliage.jpg, ''Davidsonia pruriens'' flowers and foliage
Image:Davidsonia pruriens.jpg, Davidson's plum seedling, ''Davidsonia pruriens'' - showing its characteristic toothed leaves.
References
* Bruneteau, Jean-Paul, ''Tukka, Real Australian Food'', .
* Cherikoff, Vic, ''The Bushfood Handbook'', .
* Kersh, Jennice and Raymond, ''Edna's Table'', .
* Low, Tim, ''Wild Food Plants of Australia'',
External links
* CSIRO plant profil
*
Ooray name origin
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2039236
Bushfood
Oxalidales of Australia
Cunoniaceae
Australian cuisine
Oxalidales genera