Fruit and Nut Trees

by steve stamos

The Lilly Pilly tree is one of the best-known Australian plants. Native to Queensland, Australia is usually found in subtropical rainforest areas, or in dry rain forest areas near streams. Lilly pilly is an excellent evergreen tree fairly hardy with over 60 different varieties all of which appear to be edible. Protection should be given from long frosts.

The trees enjoy profuse amounts of water but will grow in drier areas. The lilly pilly ranges from a small bush to a large tree. Most commonly grows between 3 an 7 meters. They have a hard and fine-grained wood. Leaves are smooth ovate and panicles of small fluffy white flowers are produced generally in spring followed by large bunches of deep purple fruit which ripen a couple of months later. The trees make excellent screens, windbreaks or garden ornamental specimens. New growth can range from brilliant pink to a red-brown. Fruit is edible and it is loved by many kinds of birds. They will normally fall in late autumn if not eaten by birds.

The small leaved lilly pilly produces masses of red pear shaped fruit. The fruit has a juicy flavor somewhat like cinnamon. It is a very popular ingredient in bush tucker dishes. The fruit of Lilly pilly is edible but is not the tastiest of fruits. They are however delicious when made into a chutney, or lilly pilly jelly. Fruit for jelly should be fully matured, but not over-ripe. There is a large range of lilly pillies. If you deside to have one in your garden select one best suited to your garden, for size and resistant to the lilly pilly psyllid. Propagation is by cuttings and seeds.

lilly pilly
Trees2grow

all about fruit and nut bearing trees

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!