Billy Goat Plum

Terminalia ferdinandiana

Physical Characteristics

Terminalia ferdinandiana is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is not frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Australia - Northern Australia, Queensland, Western Australia.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[296 , 301 , 777 ]. Eaten fresh, it can have a drying effect in the mouth[777 ]. Used in making preserves, jams etc[301 ]. About 3cm long, it has a slightly bitter-tasting flesh[296 ]. The fruit looks and tastes like a gooseberry[301 ]. It is one of the world's richest natural sources of ascorbic acid with some forms containing up to 3,150mg of ascorbic acid per 100g of fruit[301 ]. When ripe, the fruit is soft and has a yellow-green colour - to harvest you merely shake the trunk of the tree and the ripe fruits fall to the ground[296 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antiseptic Vitamin C The pounded fruit is used as an antiseptic and as a soothing balm for aching limbs[777 ]..

Known Hazards

None known