Sapotaceae

53 gen., mostly trop.

Pouteria Aubl.

9 species in Aust.; Qld, NSW, NT, WA

Pouteria australis (R.Br.) Baehni

Trees with a rough scaly bark, exuding latex when cut. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, rather prominently reticulate, elliptic to obovate, 5–8 cm long, tapering at the base into a short petiole 6–12 mm long; stipules absent. Flowers in axillary clusters of 2–6, bisexual, regular, c. 5mm long. Sepals 5. Corolla tubular, 5-lobed. Fertile stamens 5, epipetalous, opposite the corolla lobes and alternating with 5 slender staminodes. Ovary 5-locular, very hairy. Fruit a globular or ovoid berry, 1–5-seeded, black, 2–5 cm diam. Coast and gullies in adjacent plateaus. RF. Black Apple