PERSOONIA longifolia (Seed in Fruit)

Snottygobbles flower over the summer months, with dark yellow to orange flowers that occur in short sprays.
The individual flowers are 12 to 14mm in length with orange to brown hairs. The flowers split into four narrow segments which curl back to reveal the stamen.

The fruit occurs in summer and autumn and is green initially, but changes to a yellow-green colour a few days after falling. The green jelly bean-shaped fruit has been a source of bush tucker for the local indigenous people.

The distinctive bark is dark red to bronze colour with many papery layers which flake easily.

Endemic to the South-West Province of Western Australia.

Prefers light to medium well-drained soil in an open sunny position, drought and frost resistant.

Please Note: Although many of the traditional Bush Food and Medicine plants are now commercially produced in various forms we recommend you research these before using them as any form of food or medicine. Some parts of the plant may not be edible or some may need to be prepared before they are safe to eat or use in any way. We do our best to describe their traditional & modern uses. It is the purchaser's responsibility to ensure they are fit for their intended use.

Grow notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C.

These seeds have a hard outer coating which is impervious to water and generally, germination will normally not occur unless the seed is scarified by abrading, pre-treated with boiling water first or nicked with a sharp knife to assist with the ingress of water.

The natural method of prolonged exposure to a hot summer generally will allow germination to occur in the winter months. If you have time this is a fairly reliable method of achieving germination the first winter.

Assisted germination method:

1. Place the seed in a container and pour in just boiled water and allow to soak overnight.
2. Nick seed with a sharp knife being careful not to damage the embryo inside.
3. Soak the seed again in lukewarm water.
4. Sow 6mm deep.
5. Keep warm & moist but not wet.
6. Germination may occur relatively in a few weeks but it can be slow and take several months.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.