r/GardeningAustralia • u/Prudent-Vegetable738 • 20d ago
Are Lilly Pilly Berries Edible? 🌻 ID This Plant
I believe I have a Lilly Pilly that has plenty of berries on it.
Wondering if someone could confirm the ID?
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20d ago
I hope so! I nibble on them as a raw snack, the acidic tartness great for a little refresh during a walk.
Most people make jam. In terms of care, the fruit prolifically after a decent winter trim back. The housing estates do this as par for the course so alot of berries around those places ATM.
It looks like these are the same berries used in the video below! As the knowledgeable host says "eat em before the birds do". Haha
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u/mummymunt 20d ago
All lilly pilly species are edible, apparently. I ate one off my shrub the other day. It tasted like mildly of apple, but was dry like I was chewing a pencil, lol. But yeah, you can buy lilly pilly jam and stuff.
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u/not_from_here_au 20d ago
I made some Lilly pilly infused gin one year. Was delicious, and it changed colour slightly when mixed with acidic mixers which I loved!
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u/Amitoooldforthis1970 20d ago
Came here to say yes, and lilly pilly jam is the best!
Plenty of recipes available online to try. Warning: if you do like lilly pilly jam, you'll never look back to store bought.
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u/Prudent-Vegetable738 19d ago
Thanks for the comments everyone! They aren’t the most flavourful berry but might try to make a jam as a lot have mentioned.
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u/Pademelon1 19d ago
All lilly Pilly (Syzygium) species are edible, but they vary in flavour and texture. Your plant is Syzygium wilsonii x luehmannii 'Cascade', and isn't considered a 'tasty' variety.
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u/elisabread 19d ago
I eat them all the time and I’m fine! (I’m not fine but I don’t think it’s the Lilly pillies)
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u/oldmanriddles 19d ago
I love them. They remind me of a super crisp granny smith apple but with a berry vibe
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u/Mysterious-Race-5768 20d ago
An aboriginal fella came to my primary school once to teach us all about bush tucker. Lily pillies were top of his list for edible plants I remember!
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u/inside-outside 20d ago
We live in a city that planted them as nature strip trees, our dog every year seems to eat them as she goes under every tree. Made us super worried the first few times and while we don't encourage it are glad it's not harmful
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u/TasteDeeCheese 19d ago
Most Lilly Pillies taste like a stronger Water apple Syzygium samarangense. Very floral but the smaller ones can be astringent
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u/One-Connection-8737 19d ago
Lilly Pilly fruits are definitely edible, they taste like delicious tart apples!
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u/Phronias 19d ago edited 19d ago
Yes, also make great jam, syrup and chutney. Also related to the Java Apple, aka Jambu, wax apple. If you get the chance try one they are the best (sometimes you'll find them in Asian markets or grocers) Cold out of the fridge, soy sauce and chilli if that's your thing!
Lilly pillies are really good for you, very high in vitamin c and a good source of Magnesium and Potasium
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u/astropastrogirl 20d ago
Yeah , but they are not very nice , but I knew a little girl who loved them
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u/BrightLeaf89 19d ago
Yes but they're not super palatable. Don't expect it to taste like a raspberry or blueberry.
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u/Tsumagoi_kyabetsu 19d ago
We made a jam from ours a few years ago, before the Lily pilly beetles found them , now we barely get any fruit
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u/-clogwog- 18d ago
Yes, but make sure that they're fully ripe before eating them, as unripe ones can give you the runs.
Editing to add that the ones with matte skin like yours are better when cooked/turned into jam. The ones with shiny skin are better for eating raw.
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u/Thefootofmystairs 19d ago
Native distant cousin Maire tawaki/Waiwaka is edible too. Look out for wee grubs.
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u/intellidepth 18d ago
The ones at my house are not nice at all. Astringent is how I’d describe the ones I have, and not astringent in a pleasant way. There’s a grippy texture to ours. Looking forward to trying other varieties one day.
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u/-DethLok- 19d ago
Yes, of course they are!
Just like arsenic or strychnine is edible.
Probably not a great idea though - you could die! :(
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