Name:
Blueberry Ash
Botanical name:
elaeocarpus recticulatus
Description:
Blueberry Ash is part of the Ash family – Elaeocarpaceae. Elaeocarpus is derived from the Greek words referring to the olive-like fruit. This group of trees are all evergreen and can be found in the Orient, South-East Asia and the South-West Pacific region.
Elaeocarpus recticlatus is the species used in Centennial Parklands. Reticulatus is Latin for net and refers the net-like venation on the leaves. This tree can be found in the east, in coastal gullies from Tasmania and Victoria to southern Queensland.
This evergreen tree can grow to a height of 10-15 metres. It has a single stem trunk from base to canopy. The simple leaves are dark green and paler beneath. It has up to 15-20 white flowers borne on a central axis or raceme, flowering from October to December. The new growth is bronze to red in colour while the upper twigs are metallic brown with a whitish bloom.
The fruits are dark blue, ripen in March and persist on the tree till July.
Where can the Blueberry Ash be seen in the Parklands?
The tree can be found in the new plantings in the Moore Park South East area adjacent to the tennis centre.