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Project Noah Nature School
Maclura cochinchinensis
Maclura cochinchinensis is a thorny, climbing vine or shrub. It grows 4-10 m long, and belongs to the fig family Moraceae. The fruit is a composite round fruit 2-4 cm across. It has a pattern of squares over the surface and is green but turns yellow-orange when mature. The fruit is sweet and edible, and the ripe fruit is eaten fresh. There are several very small seeds inside. It is native to Australia, and is typically found in subtropical, warm temperate, dry and littoral rainforests of NSW and QLD. It also native to tropical Asia. This species provides perfect protective habitat for small birds, of which there are plenty at this location. Birds also eat the fruit. PS: The thorns on the stem can be clearly seen, particularly in the last photo.
Spotted along the track at Oxley Creek Common, in the Brisbane suburb of Rocklea. This is a low-lying, flood-prone grassland area adjacent to Oxley Creek, with a thin line of mangroves along its banks. This provides a corridor for animals to move through the area.
Spotted on Dec 11, 2021
Submitted on Dec 12, 2021
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