Mystery Tree in Melbourne, yellow fruits ?

koala · 13th January 2011, 10:42 PM

Hi All,
A tree started growing in my garden by itself, about 2-3 years ago, and I have been wondering ever since what it is. It is currently about 4 meters high, and has large green-blue leaves (more green than blue). The leaves are sort of furry, some go yellow here and there and then drop off, but it is not deciduous.
The tree has clusters of small purple flowers; last year these were followed by shrivelled up fruits which then dropped off. This year the fruits are bigger,juicier and turning yellow. They are in clusters, and look a bit like small loquats (which they are definitely not!) I am tempted to taste one but hesitant until I have an idea what they could be.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks, Sharon (Melbourne, Australia)

wildwilly911 · 14th January 2011, 01:06 AM

June Plum, Dwarf Ambarella, Golden Apple tree are common names
Botanical name: Spondias dulcis
The dwarf ambarella is a fast growing plant that will produce fruit in less than one year, and at a height of only two feet. They are often eaten fresh, made into drinks and jellies that taste something like apple butter. They have a single sharp, rather large, spiny seed
http://bit.ly/gofdj3

koala · 14th January 2011, 06:23 AM

Thanks for your guess WildWilly, but no - the description doesn't quite fit.
The leaves are not glossy or smooth on my tree, they are large and sort of furry. Also, I picked one of the fruits this morning- they are soft like a tomato, with lots of little seeds within, also much like a tomato. The taste is sweet yet bitter. The size of the fruits is round, about the size of large grapes (or small mini-tomatoes?) I am starting to think it is related to the tomato, as it has quite a few similarities (soft fruit, seeds, sort of furry leaf texture) . It is not a tamarillo either. I will attempt to add a picture of the trunk.

Cheers

Eric Frei · 14th January 2011, 06:35 AM

That looks like that Wild Tobacco weed, Solanum mauritianum

Darrell Mcleod · 14th January 2011, 06:46 AM

Get rid of it but be careful - appears to be very poisonous also

http://bit.ly/esf1My

Tree Service Austin · 14th January 2011, 08:51 AM

We havent seen that species of tree here in Austin

koala · 14th January 2011, 07:54 PM

Thanks fellows, you have solved the mystery for me

Much appreciated. I will be sawing him down this weekend. I have already noticed a few babies popping up around the place.

Cheers!

TrevMcRev · 14th January 2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koala

Also, I picked one of the fruits this morning- they are soft like a tomato, with lots of little seeds within, also much like a tomato. The taste is sweet yet bitter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wikipedia

All parts of the Solanum mauritianum plant are poisonous to humans, especially the berries.[2] Human fatalities have resulted from the consumption of the berries.

Ummmmm.....you feeling ok???

koala · 14th January 2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

Ummmmm.....you feeling ok???

Yes I am ok, thanks for asking!
I didn't really swallow any, just tasted it and spat it back out - luckily!

13th January 2011, 10:42 PM	#1
koala I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: melbourne Australia Posts: 4	Mystery Tree in Melbourne, yellow fruits ? Hi All, A tree started growing in my garden by itself, about 2-3 years ago, and I have been wondering ever since what it is. It is currently about 4 meters high, and has large green-blue leaves (more green than blue). The leaves are sort of furry, some go yellow here and there and then drop off, but it is not deciduous. The tree has clusters of small purple flowers; last year these were followed by shrivelled up fruits which then dropped off. This year the fruits are bigger,juicier and turning yellow. They are in clusters, and look a bit like small loquats (which they are definitely not!) I am tempted to taste one but hesitant until I have an idea what they could be. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Sharon (Melbourne, Australia) Attached Thumbnails

14th January 2011, 01:06 AM	#2
wildwilly911 Sappling Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: wisconsin Posts: 5	Re: Mystery Tree in Melbourne, yellow fruits ? June Plum, Dwarf Ambarella, Golden Apple tree are common names Botanical name: Spondias dulcis The dwarf ambarella is a fast growing plant that will produce fruit in less than one year, and at a height of only two feet. They are often eaten fresh, made into drinks and jellies that taste something like apple butter. They have a single sharp, rather large, spiny seed http://bit.ly/gofdj3 Last edited by Eric Frei; 19th January 2011 at 07:52 AM. Reason: changed link

14th January 2011, 06:23 AM	#3
koala I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: melbourne Australia Posts: 4	Re: Mystery Tree in Melbourne, yellow fruits ? Thanks for your guess WildWilly, but no - the description doesn't quite fit. The leaves are not glossy or smooth on my tree, they are large and sort of furry. Also, I picked one of the fruits this morning- they are soft like a tomato, with lots of little seeds within, also much like a tomato. The taste is sweet yet bitter. The size of the fruits is round, about the size of large grapes (or small mini-tomatoes?) I am starting to think it is related to the tomato, as it has quite a few similarities (soft fruit, seeds, sort of furry leaf texture) . It is not a tamarillo either. I will attempt to add a picture of the trunk. Cheers Attached Thumbnails

14th January 2011, 06:35 AM	#4
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Mystery Tree in Melbourne, yellow fruits ? That looks like that Wild Tobacco weed, Solanum mauritianum __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

14th January 2011, 06:46 AM	#5
Darrell Mcleod Mature tree Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Victoria Australia Posts: 242	Re: Mystery Tree in Melbourne, yellow fruits ? Get rid of it but be careful - appears to be very poisonous also http://bit.ly/esf1My Last edited by Eric Frei; 14th January 2011 at 06:52 AM. Reason: changed link

14th January 2011, 08:51 AM	#6
Tree Service Austin I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Austin Posts: 1	Re: Mystery Tree in Melbourne, yellow fruits ? We havent seen that species of tree here in Austin Last edited by Eric Frei; 14th January 2011 at 09:25 AM. Reason: link removed, no relevance

14th January 2011, 07:54 PM	#7
koala I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: melbourne Australia Posts: 4	Re: Mystery Tree in Melbourne, yellow fruits ? Thanks fellows, you have solved the mystery for me Much appreciated. I will be sawing him down this weekend. I have already noticed a few babies popping up around the place. Cheers!

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