Thursday, April 30, 2009

Bush foods for the home garden

These native plants are suitable for the home garden and provide edible fruit.


Austromyrtus dulcis (midyim berry) occurs naturally near the coast. The small berries are delicious. The plant grows to about 1 metre in height.

Carissa ovata is a sprawling shrub that has pretty white flowers and small blackish berries. Birds usually get to the fruit first.

Melastoma affine grows to about 2.5 metres and flowers profusely. The purple flowers are nicer than the red fruit which will stain your tongue blue if you eat too many.