An evergreen tropical tree to 30m with a dense canopy and grey brown bark, cultivated in gardens and commercially grown for its edible fruit.
Flowers
Flowers are fragrant, small, cream coloured with five petals, and clustered in terminal panicles.
Leaves
New leaves are pinkish red maturing to a dark glossy smooth green up to 35cm long and 7cm wide, lance shaped and tapering to a point; leaves are alternate, simple and prominently veined.
Fruit/Berries
The fruit is oval to elliptical, smooth-skinned and either yellow, orange green or red in colour with yellow flesh, up to 25cm long and up to 10cm in diameter. The flattened seed is somewhat bearded, 4-7cm long, 3-4cm wide, and 1cm thick.
Other
Fruit is edible but skin should be removed first.
Symptoms
Contact with the sap, wood, sawdust, bark or fruit can result in dermatitis including rash, swelling, itching and blistering. Peeling and eating the fruit can affect the hands and skin around the mouth.
Toxicity category
3
Warning
Seek medical attention if exposure causes significant symptoms
Other languages