Archer Cherry
Origin of name
Family: RUBIACEAE
- Aidia meaning “modest or shy“
- racemosa meaning “in clusters or raceme-like“
Occurrence
A local plant of open woodland, vine thicket, monsoon forest, gallery forest and well-developed rainforest.
Hardy, but does best in protected sites with ample water.
Prefers well-drained, even sandy, soils & tolerates salt spray. Best protected from hot sun while young.
Appearence
Bushy, layered shrub/tree, can be 15m, but usually ~6m. White-cream flower clusters (Oct-Dec), on upper side of branches, are followed by clusters of globular fruit, usually bright red, but sometimes yellow or purple.
Flowers have pleasant, jasmine fragrance. Fully ripe fruit are edible, but sometimes tart. Flowers attract butterflies and fruits attract birds.
