Bandicoot berry
Leea novoguineensis, Fam. Vitaceae
A fast growing rainforest and understorey shrub to 5m high, with a multi-stemmed habit. Previously Leea indica.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Shrub |
| Family: | Vitaceae |
| Leaf: | Compound, to 80cm long, twice pinnate with leaflets varying in size. Leaflets opposite plus a terminal leaflet, lance shaped, dark green, prominent veins, serrated margins, to 10 x 4cm. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Cream |
| Flower description: | Small, white or cream, tubular, four to five lobed flowers, borne in axillary flat topped clusters. November to January and sporadic. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Purple, Green, Red |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Green changing to red and brown purple berries, about 1cm in diameter, borne in erect clusters. |
| Habitat: | Rainforest. |
| Distribution | Queensland, Northern Territory, New Guinea, Malesia, Asia. |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia, New Guinea, Malesia, Asia. |
| Notes: | Needs semi-shade to full shade, but will grow in most soil types providing they are kept moist and well drained. Propagate from fresh seed or cuttings. |
| Information sources: | Atlas of Living Australia (2022) Leea novoguineensis Valeton., Townsend K. & the Society for Growing Australian Plant Townsville Branch Inc. (1994) Across the Top: Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. |
