Austromyrtus dulcis
| Midgen berry | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Austromyrtus |
| Species: | A. dulcis |
| Binomial name | |
| Austromyrtus dulcis (C.T.White) L.S.Sm. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Austromyrtus dulcis, the midgen berry or midyim, is a spreading heathland shrub native to eastern Australia.
Midgen berry leaves are 1–3 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, lanceolate to elliptical, glossy above and silky hairy beneath. The white flowers are 1 cm across, followed by dotted mauve edible berries.[2]
Distribution
The species occurs in New South Wales and Queensland. [3]
Uses
The berries are a popular traditional bushfood, eaten by indigenous Australians and non-indigenous people. The melt-in-the-mouth berries are sweet and aromatic, with a pleasant gingery flavour. While recognized as having good flavour qualities, the berries have not been commercialized due to harvesting and handling issues.
Midgen is also popular in amenity horticulture as an adaptable shrub for a variety of situations, handling a range of soils and climatic conditions.
References
- ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ↑ Elliot, W.R., and Jones, D.L., Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants, 1982, ISBN 0-85091-143-5
- ↑ Wilson, Peter G. "Austromyrtus dulcis (C.T.White) L.S.Sm". Retrieved 2008-07-13.