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Central QLD Coast Landcare Network

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Currant bush

Carissa ovata, Fam. Apocynaceae


Spreading to erect, much branched shrub up to 2m tall, or sometimes a scrambling climber, with milky sap. A spine arises from each side of the stem between some leaf bases (not from the leaf axils).

Weed Category:
Weed: No
Form or habit: Vine (Climbing, Twining or groundcover), Shrub
Family: Apocynaceae
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, entire, broadly ovate, 0.5-5.5 x 0.5-4cm. Glossy green, usually hairless but sometimes sparsely hairy. Milky latex.
Flower conspicuous: Conspicuous
Flower colour:

White

Flower description: Compact cymes of small, white, fragrant flowers. Any month of the year.
Fruit conspicuous: Conspicuous
Fruit colour:

Black, Purple

Fruit:
Fruit description: Purple black, ovoid berries, 1-1.5cm long. Usually one seeded. Any month.
Habitat: Littoral rainforest, open forest, rainforest, vine thicket.
Distribution Queensland, New South Wales.
Food source for: Fruit eaten by the satin, spotted and regent bowerbirds. Larval food plant of the common crow butterfly and the moths and Nephele subvaria (a hawk moth).
Toxicity: No toxicity known
Origin: Australia.
Notes: Ripe fruit is edible and palatable. Grow from fresh seed or cuttings, remove flesh from seed prior to sewing. Slow growing but long lived and hardy in most situations.
Information sources: Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia.

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