Burdekin Plum, Pleiogynium timorense, is a large, beautiful, shapely tree to 20 meters or more, under favorable conditions, or a stunted, nearly bonsai size shrub under harder less favorable conditions. Burdekin Plum is a tropical fruit bearing tree, a close relative of the Mango tree, indigenous to tropical rain-forest in north-east Queensland of Australia and Papua New Guinea.


The Pleiogynium timorense leaves are pinnate, consisting of 3 to 11 leaflets. They are glossy dark green with bronze new growth, forming a dense canopy. Flowers are yellowish-green, comparatively inconspicuous and with male and female flowers occurring on separate trees. Flowering takes place in winter and spring.

The fruit of the Burdekin Plum are large and fleshy. When ripe fruit flesh on some trees is deep purple (quite tart), pale greenish-white (milder but less tasteful) or half red – half white (delicious). Fruit matures in summer and autumn. In the middle of the flesh is a large marked stone which generally fills 75% of the total fruit.

The riper the fruit the better the taste it is. Fruit doesn’t ripen on the tree, but must be stored, either buried in sand or kept in paper bags in a dark, damp spot for a few days. It can either be consumed raw, cooked or made into jam, jelly, used to flavor meat, or to make up wine. A ripe fruit is 70% water but has modest levels of sugar, fat, vitamin C and it is high in fiber and most minerals.

Pleiogynium timorense is a member in the family Anacardiaceae the genus Pleiogynium. Observational plantations are being planted and there seems to be tremendous potential for choosing superior varieties and grafting. Additionally the timber is considered as one of the best native timbers by wood turners.

Propagation is commonly carried out from seed but cuttings are also successful. Burdekin Plum is a hardy plant tolerant of frost, except when young. It is a suitable plant for tropical and sub tropical regions but it could also be grown in inland areas if water is available. It is fairly slow growing and is best suited to well drained, fairly rich soils.

Burdekin Plum, Pleiogynium timorense

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