FAMILY: SCROPHULARIACEAE (MYOPORACEAE)
Down south, this plant is known as Winter Apple - and that’s when it usually fruits.
However, like so many of our local native plants, Devil's Marbles is an opportunist. By means mysterious, it decides when its chance of producing a new generation is at its best, and this year it has chosen February. I would love to think that it "knows" rain is coming!
For those who would like to grow this useful and hardy ground cover plant, now is a good time to look for fruits on your properties and on roadsides.
The best technique is to plant one seed per small tube, in good-quality potting mix. Cover it to a depth equal to the diameter of the seed, and keep it damp until it germinates. Some people say they have good results if the flesh is left on the seed, but I prefer to remove it. You can do this by sucking your seed clean. This is regarded as a bush tucker plant, and is quite safe. I leave it to you to decide whether you like the flavour, which I find quite acceptable (if unexciting) provided the fruit is very ripe.
Once the plants have reached a good size, they are can be planted straight into the garden.
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5 comments:
A note to say what a fantastic resource - your latest post inspired to put in some Devil’s Marbles. Thank you!!
Thank you for your comment.
We should be seeing more of this lovely little plant.
Trish
Thank you for your suggestions. Very inspired to collect some seed, i know USQ has some in their Gumbi Gumbi Gardens.
If collecting seed, don't forget the rule that you should collect no more than 10% of what is there. Leave the rest for nature's purposes, which are (a) for the plants to have babies, and (b) for birds and other wildlife to eat.
And don't forget the bush tucker rule. If snacking in the wild, don't forget to plant the seed.
Trish
Thanks Trish, will do.
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