kangaroo-apple

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


an Australian and Tasmanianfruit, Solanum aviculare, Forst., N.O.Solanaceae. The name is also applied to S. vescum,called the Gunyang (q.v.). In New Zealand, the fruit iscalled Poroporo (q.v.).

1834. Ross, `Van Diemen's Land Annual, p. 133:

` Solanum laciniatum, the kangaroo-apple, resembling theapple of a potato; when so ripe as to split, it has a mealysub-acid taste.»

1846. G. H. Haydon, `Five Years in Australia Felix,' p. 85:

«The kangaroo-apple ( Solanum laciniatum) is a fine shrubfound in many parts of the country, bearing a pretty blueflower and a fruit rather unpleasant to the taste, althoughfrequently eaten by the natives, and also by Europeans.»

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix,' p. 132:

«The kangaroo-apple comes from a bush or small tree bearingblue blossoms, which are succeeded by apples like those of thepotato. They have a sweetish flavour, and when ripe may beboiled and eaten, but are not greatly prized.»

1857. F. R. Nixon (Bishop), `Cruise of Beacon,' p. 28:

«Of berries and fruits of which they partook, the principalwere those of Solanum laciniatum, or kangaroo-apple,when dead ripe.»

1877. F. v. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings,' p. 105:

« Solanum aviculare, on which our colonists have veryinappropriately bestowed the name Kangaroo-apple, whilein literal scientific translation it ought to be called Bird'sNightshade, because Captain Cook's companions observed in NewZealand that birds were feeding on the berries of this bush.»

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

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