Kingdom Plantae Family Myrtaceae Scientific name Austromyrtus dulcis | Order Myrtales Genus Austromyrtus Rank Species | |
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Similar Austromyrtus, Backhousia, Alpinia caerulea, Backhousia myrtifolia, Riberry | ||
Midgen Berry, Midyim, or Austromyrtus dulcis is a spreading heathland shrub native to eastern Australia.
Contents
Midgen berry leaves are 1-3 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, lanceolate to elliptical, glossy above and silky hairy beneath. The white flowers are 1 cm across, followed by dotted mauve edible berries.
Distribution
The species occurs in New South Wales and Queensland.
Uses
The berries are a popular traditional bushfood, eaten by indigenous Australians and non-indigenous people. The melt-in-the-mouth berries are sweet and aromatic, with a pleasant gingery flavour. While recognized as having good flavour qualities, the berries have not been commercialized due to harvesting and handling issues.
Midgen is also popular in amenity horticulture as an adaptable shrub for a variety of situations, handling a range of soils and climatic conditions.
