Common Apple-Berry Billardiera Mutabilis

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Plant of the month: Common Apple-berry Billardiera mutabilis Common Apple-berry Billardiera mutabilis is a soft, creeping climber with reddish-brown stems and dull green leaves to 8 cm long with wavy margins. New growth and leaves are often downy. The pendulous flowers are yellow-green and bell shaped, with the petals recurved at the base; flowering mainly from September to January. The green fleshy berries are usually smooth and although edible when soft and translucent, are astringent to taste. Common Apple-berry is found in all the eastern States in heathland, woodland and forests from near sea-level to the subalps. At Venus Bay it is found along Anderson Inlet and Point Smythe and is common in the Tarwin Flora and Fauna Reserve. Billardiera mutabilis closely resembles B. scandens but this species is now thought to be uncommon in Victoria, found mainly in the north-east. Common Appleberry grows in well-drained dry to moist soils with full sun to shade and is frost-tolerant. It is suitable for planting under established trees. The flowers (nectar) and fruits are bird-attracting. Seed is usually fermented before sowing and may take up to 3 months to germinate. Smoke treatment can enhance the process. Firm tip cuttings can be taken in summer. Billardiera is a genus in the Pittosporaceae family and the name comes from the French Botanist J.J.H. de Labillardiere (1755-1834), noted for his descriptions of the flora of Australia. The species name mutabilis is a Latin word for changeable, referring to the flowers. For further information please visit FVBP website above. Photo: Lorraine Norden. .

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