Muntries

''Kunzea pomifera'', commonly known as muntries, emu apples, native cranberries, munthari, muntaberry or monterryGraham, C. and D. Hart (1997). ''Prospects for the Australian native bushfood industry''. RIRDC. (from Tanganekald Ngarrindjeri ''mantari''), is a low-growing or prostrate shrub with hairy stems, small, mostly egg-shaped leaves, groups of white flowers on the ends of the branches and fleshy, more or less spherical, edible fruit.

Description

''Kunzea pomifera'' is a low-growing or prostrate shrub with hairy young stems and that often develops roots along its main branches. Its leaves are arranged alternately and are egg-shaped to elliptic or almost round with a downturned point on the end. The leaves are long, wide on a petiole long. The flowers are white to cream-coloured, arranged in groups of mainly between three and eight near the ends of the main branches. There are oblong to more or less round bracts covered with silky hairs at the base of the flowers and almost reaching the top of the floral cup. The sepals are brown, triangular and long. The petals are egg-shaped to almost round, long. The stamens are white and long and the style is long. The fruit is fleshy, more or less spherical, in diameter, deep red to purple or black when mature.

Taxonomy and naming

''Kunzea pomifera'' was first formally described in 1855 by Ferdinand von Mueller from specimens collected "on the sandy shores and on rocks at St. Vincent's Gulf and Rivoli Bay. The description was published in Mueller's book, ''Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants''. The specific epithet (''pomifera'') is derived from the Latin words ''pomum'' meaning "fruit of any kind" or "apple" and ''fero'' meaning "to cover or bear".

Distribution and habitat

Muntries grows in Victoria and South Australia. In Victoria it grows mainly in sandy soil in the Little Desert and Big Desert and small populations between Portland and Nelson. In South Australia it grows in sandy soil, often with limestone, between the Yorke Peninsula and the Victorian border.

Uses

The berries produced by these plants are about in diameter, green with a tinge of red at maturity and have a flavour of a spicy apple. Crunchy in texture, muntries contain up to four times more antioxidants than blueberries and provide natural waxes that are good for skin nourishment.

Cultivation

''Kunzea pomifera'' was grown in England in 1889. It was one of the first species of Australian plant introduced into cultivation in England.

Trellising

While muntries are a groundcover in the wild, commercial growers have successfully managed to trellis the plants. Trellised muntries allow easier access for harvesting and management. It also allows a more efficient use of orchard space.

Muntrie plants can be trained quite easily through weaving the growing plant through and along trellis wires, using plant ties to secure them.

Soil requirements

Muntries seem to prefer well drained soil of a moderately acid to strongly alkaline pH (6.0 - 8.0).Hele, A. (2001). ''Muntries production''. Australian Native Produce Industries Pty Ltd, Primary Industries and Resources SA.

Water requirements

Natural rainfall levels of wild populations range from . For cultivation it is suggested that waterlogging and extremely dry soils should both be avoided. Moderate restriction of water in the early spring may be beneficial in stimulating flowering and reducing competitive vegetative growth.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that overwatering muntries may result in a dilution of flavour in the muntrie berries.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3061705

pomifera
Flora of Victoria (state)
Flora of South Australia
Bushfood
Crops originating from Australia
Myrtales of Australia
Plants described in 1855
Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller