Native Large Leaf Tamarind - Edible

Diploglottis australis.

I love saying this Australian Native’s botanical name. It has such flow and yet the weirdest set of letters together.

Say it slowly the first time helps

Dip..lo..glot..tis Aus..tral..is

This beautiful plant is commonly called Native Large Leaf Tamarind.

In its natural habitat, along east coast of Australia anywhere from Proserpine (QLD) to Brogo (NSW), it can grow to over 35m tall. In cultivation, our backyards, it’s mainly used as a large shade tree. In best conditions it will usually grow to about 10m high and 3-5m wide.

There are so many things to love about this tree but honestly the thing I love the most is it’s leaves. I love trees with large leaves and this one has these large leaves that are covered in velvety golden brown hairs. Adding a bronzing effect to the overall greenness of the tree. Added to that the leaf veins are easy to see and the midrib is slightly raised. It’s truly a visual and textural leaf.

Not only does it have these amazing leaves it also has the coolest fruit!

The flowers are like hairy creamy white puffs that form in the Spring. Then from about January fruit starts to drop to ground when ripe. The berries, are two or three-lobed and are roughly about the size of a small fig fruit. They have a brown hairy outer casing and contain juicy, orange/red, edible pulp around a large brown seed.

The fruit is often sour to taste, but like the Asian Tamarind, may be enjoyed raw or processed into jams, jellies, sauces and drinks. It’s a great native food.

Diploglottis australis can be grown in full sun or part shade. It doesn’t like frosts or windy positions. It does prefer to have moist fertile soil but beggars can’t be choosers and can grow in a wide range of soils and conditions.

A good feed with a complete slow release organic fertiliser, like Organic Link, every three months would be greatly appreciated.

Diploglottis australis is a beautiful small native tree that would be an added bonus to any garden.