About Niemeyera whitei (Aubrév.) Jessup
Niemeyera whitei is a small to medium-sized tree that grows up to 20 metres (66 ft) tall, with a stem diameter of 5–50 cm (2.0–19.7 in). Its trunk is irregular and fluted, covered in creamy grey corky bark that has bumps and pits. The tree's thick branches are covered in rusty hairs, and produce white milky sap when broken. Leaves of Niemeyera whitei are 5–15 cm (2.0–5.9 in) long and 2–5 cm (0.79–1.97 in) wide, arranged alternately along stems with entire margins. The upper leaf surface is smooth and green, while the lower surface is paler, covered in rusty coloured hairs, and has prominent veins. 12 to 15 lateral veins angle 45–60° away from the leaf midrib. Flowers are green with rusty brown parts, grow in clusters, and flower from September to October. The fruit is a berry 2–7 cm (0.79–2.76 in) in diameter; it is initially red, and matures to purple then black. Inside the berry is pink edible flesh surrounding a large spherical seed, rarely two seeds, that is 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) in diameter. One side of the seed has a glossy eye-shaped scar 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) long. Most of the seed is covered in light brownish down, while the glossy scar is mid brown. Fruit matures from September to November, and regeneration can take up to 6 months. This species grows on nutrient-poor soils at elevations below 600 metres above sea level, in gullies within warm temperate or littoral rainforest. Its natural range extends from the Macleay River, New South Wales to Tallebudgera Creek in south eastern Queensland.
