PEPPERBERRY / NATIVE MOUNTAIN PEPPER (Tasmannia lanceolata) Seeds
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A shrub native to cool temperate rainforests of South-eastern Australia. Height varies from 2 - 10m, stems are quite red in colour.
The small cream or white flowers appear in Summer and are followed by black berries 5-8mm wide which appear in Autumn.
There are separate male and female plants. The berries attract birds including Currawongs that feed on them. Prefers well-drained sols in partial shade to full shade and are frost hardy to -8c (20-22f)
Bush food: The leaf and berry are used as a spice, typically dried. The berries are sweet at first with a peppery aftertaste.Ā Berries are ripe when they change from red to black.
Bush medicine: TheĀ plantĀ has a long history ofĀ medicinal useĀ in Aboriginal cultureĀ Ā for the treatment for skin disorders, venereal diseases, colic and stomach ache. The berry inhibits the growth of many pathogenic bacteria, protozoa and also has some limited antiviral activity.
Germination: Cold stratification for 28 days is highly recommended for this species. Sow seed just under the surface in full sun to part shade, untreated seed can take 6-9 months to germinate.
Ā *Seed in fruit