Burdekin plum

Description

Pleiogynium timoriense, commonly known as the Burdekin plum, is a medium-sized fruit-bearing tree native to Malesia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Fruits This semi-deciduous tree can naturally reach up to 20 m high but in cultivation generally grows to approximately 12 m. It has a dense canopy with glossy dark green leaves and rough dark bark. The tree has yellowish-green flowers which flower between January and March and later grow into a fruit. The fruit's flesh is generally plum coloured however, white varieties have been reported. The fruit is edible when ripe. Fruit must be removed from tree to ripen for several days in a dark, damp place. Native aboriginals are known to have buried the fruit underground to ripen. Fruit can be cooked, eaten raw or used in jellies, jams and preserves. The species occurs in Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Australia (Queensland), the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Tonga.