Blue-fruited Barringtonia / Mango Pine
CAUTION
Fruit may be poisonous.
Origin of name
Family:
- Barringtonia on honour of Daines Barrington
- calyptrata meaning “cap/covering“
Occurrence
NOT a local plant. Occurs in well-developed, lowland rainforest and beach rainforest, north of Ingham.
Prefers moist, well-drained soil, but thrives in drier conditions, given sufficient water. Tolerates sun, part-shade, salt-winds, and some tidal flooding. Cyclone-tough.
Appearance
Tree to 5-8m in cultivation, taller in rainforest. Spectacular, long, ‘foxtails’ of flowers (Sep-Oct) are followed by large, egg-shaped, blue fruit that smell of mangoes, but may be poisonous. Leaves (large, resembling mango leaves) can turn orange-red and be deciduous in drier conditions.
Image coming soon