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The leaves contain saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish. Appleberries are grown in Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria. An evergreen Climber growing to 2.4m at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs)
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
Fruit - raw. Aromatic, mealy and pleasant. Remove the seeds before eating the fruit. The fruit does not have a pulp and is dry and boring. The deep blue fruit is up to 25mm long.
Scented Plants
Flowers: Fresh The flowers are deliciously scented.Cultivation details
Requires a moist well-drained humus-rich lime-free soil in a sheltered position in sun or semi-shade with a cool root run. Plants are only hardy to about -5°c. They succeed outdoors only in the mildest areas of Britain. They can survive quite cold winters outdoors if given a suitable position. They are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer, wetter and colder winters. Mulching the roots in winter will provide extra protection for the plant and even if the top is cut back by the cold it might resprout from the base. A very ornamental plant.The flowers are deliciously scented. Any pruning is best done in spring.Propagation
Seed - best sown in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Only just cover the seed. Sow stored seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse. The germination of fresh seed is usually prolific, but stored seed can take a year to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 12cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair percentage. Layering.Links
Permaculture.info Details of this plant in the Permaculture.info project, a community plant and permaculture database. Pittosporaceae Billardiera longiflora Appleberry Description: A slow growing climber that grows to 2.0 meters (6.6 feet) high by 0.5 meters (1.65 feet) wide and prefers sandy loam soil with an acid pH and partial to full sun with moderate moisture. This plant has scented flowers and has hermaphrodite flowers and is hardy to zone 8. Habitat: Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria Damp forests and along the sides of streams. This plant might do well located near a wall along a dappled edge along a sunny edge or in a woodland garden. Pittosporaceae Billardiera cymosa Sweet appleberry Description: A climber that grows to 1.0 meters (3.3 feet) high by 0.5 meters (1.65 feet) wide and prefers sandy loam soil with a pH ranging from acid to neutral and partial to full sun with moderate moisture. This plant has hermaphrodite flowers. Habitat: Australia - South Australia, Victoria. Woodlands, mallees and coastal heaths, on sandy soils. This plant might do well located near a wall along a dappled edge along a sunny edge or in a woodland garden. Pittosporaceae Billardiera scandens Common appleberry Description: A climber that grows to 1.0 meters (3.3 feet) high by 0.5 meters (1.65 feet) wide and prefers sandy loam soil with an acid pH and partial to full sun with moderate moisture. This plant has hermaphrodite flowers and is hardy to zone 8. Habitat: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria. By mountain streams or scrub country in forests, by coasts and on tablelands. This plant might do well located near a wall along a dappled edge or in a woodland garden.Click here for reference information.
California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.