Burdekin Plum, also known as Tulip Plum, is an Australian native that produces plump, acidic fruits that are only edible when ripe. Fruits are large, black, round and contain a large stone, similar to plums in the supermarket. The colour and flavour of the flesh varies between varieties, with red-purple plums being tart, while pale greenish-white plums taste milder. Flowering usually occurs between January and March, producing small, yellowish-green blooms that develop into fruit over the winter months. Harvest the fruits when they start to show signs of ripening, but don’t eat them straight away! They are hard and acidic straight off the tree and need to be stored for a few days. They may be eaten raw, cooked into jams, used to flavour meat, or fermented into wine. It may be kept smaller in pots and is sometimes selected as a bonsai species. It is a magnificent tree for a large garden or verge, providing plenty of shade and habitat for birds and small animals.Soil: Loamy, well-drained soil.Conditions: Sunny position. Though it will tolerate drought (and some frosts), it is ideal to mulch and water well for the hot season. In the wild, it may also occur naturally on sand dunes behind mangroves and in dry sub-coastal regions along the northeast coast.Size: Height 20m x width 6-8m
