After meeting the largest Bunya Bunya Pine, in the garden directly ahead is a male specimen of the Brown or Plum Pine (Podocarpus elatus). Bluish black plum like fruits are only produced by the female tree. The brown timber is a valuable softwood used for furniture and joinery. It is found in warmer rainforests in northern NSW and QLD.
"Well, hello there, I’m Brown Plum Pine, Podocarpus elatus is my botanical name. It means foot food, sounds so delicious doesn’t it. No, it sounds disgusting!"
Transcript
The Brown Plum Pine tree: "Well, hello there, I’m Brown Plum Pine, Podocarpus elatus is my botanical name. It means foot food, sounds so delicious doesn’t it. No, it sounds disgusting! Who would want to eat foot food! Gross. I can’t believe you said that. It’s foot food because my delicious plums fall on the ground when they are ripe, not because they taste like *beep*. Gross.
Wanna know my secret? My fruits are very versatile bush food, they are packed with antioxidants, and full of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B. No one is healthier than me. That rhymes! You can eat my fruit raw or make them into delicious jams. They go well with chili, garlic... they make amazing sauces and marinades. You can pickle them, you can put them into preserves, you can make muffins and cheesecakes. I could go on. I should have my own cookbook, but I don’t want to be flexing on you. The BWA might get jelly… jealous!"
