Pepperberry tree edible? (Cryptocarya obovata) (forum)

OceanEarth starts with ...
I bought one of these from a local nursery with dreams of harvesting and drying my own pepperberries for yummy Aussie bush tucker inspired meals. After some belated research I've discovered they may not be edible, though it's not clear. Can anyone give me a definitive answer on this?

Time: 25th March 2016 10:20am

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About the Author OceanEarth
Mount Coolum
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denise1 says...
Daleys sells plants of the native mountain pepper--Tasmannia lanceolata. proper.

Time: 25th March 2016 12:31pm

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About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
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Magpie says...
Hi Ocean...according to a few different sites that I know and trust it's not edible unfortunately. You may be better off growing Dorrigo pepper Tasmannia stipitata.It's a native to the subtropical rainforests of Northern NSW or try and grow Mountainberry Tasmannia lanceolata but the latter may be out of it's climate zone. I grow a couple of pepper vines Piper nigrum and they fruit really well but don't have the added flavour of the native varieties. Hope it helps you out a bit-)





Time: 25th March 2016 12:32pm

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About the Author Magpie
MARSDEN,4132,QLD
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Markmelb says...
Tasmannia lanceolata is more likely what you are looking for - the Tasmanian pepper berry bush - you need a male & female though to get berries.

Time: 25th March 2016 9:08pm

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About the Author Markmelb
MOUNT WAVERLEY,3149,VIC
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Pademelon1 says...
Whilst obovata is not considered to be a bush food, Its chilean relative C. Alba does produce edible fruits. The Native C. Glaucescens has reputedly edible seeds, but I don't think they would be worth it.

This indicates that Obovata may be edible, but the fruits/seeds are not worth it, and pepperberry is likely just a name.

I know this isn't definitive, but I hope it helps anyway. And whilst this pepperberry news is a bit forlorn, I can say that C. Obovata is a stunning tree when mature anyways.

P.S. If you want to still get pepper berries, I recommend either of the Native bushes Tasmannia Stipitata or Tasmannia lanceolata. You can use both the leaves and fruit for a strong peppery taste! (separate male/female plants though).

Regards,
Pademelon1



Time: 26th March 2016 12:30pm

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About the Author Pademelon1
PADDINGTON,2021,NSW
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jakfruit etiquette says...
Overall I agree with what has been said by all, but would like to add that some Cryptocarya species from NQ are highly toxic. At a guess I would say obovata is at the lower end of toxicity, and not too edible.
Even Avocado in the same Family is edible to humans, toxic to pets and has some insecticidal properties in the leaves.

Time: 26th March 2016 9:01pm

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vic
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OceanEarth says...
Thanks for all the help. The number and swiftness of replies shows this is a very healthy and useful forum. I might pull this one out of the ground and put it back in a pot. See if I can thicken it up for a shade tree.

Time: 28th March 2016 12:10pm

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About the Author OceanEarth
Mount Coolum
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