Re: What is this spiky thing? Yes a great Chinese medicinal herb. If the picture was clearer with some scale there may be a chance of identifying it. What's the best bet so far?
Re: What is this spiky thing? I'm waiting to see what's under the hood. Annona muricata has some pretty shiny leaves in some of the pics I've seen.
Re: What is this spiky thing? g'day michaelangelica, bitter melon also good in the cooking, stir fries, stews etc.,. grows easy takes little room. the best bet??? durian has moved to the lead, but we are going to have to wait for more pics and would be handy if there is a ruler along side the fruit so we can get some perspective, and of course some pictures of foliage. for me i'm still thinking durian or jackfruit? dunno?(though one picture of tree and fruit the fruits look like they have a groove down one side so they could be a nut?) if these tropical fruits would develop outside of the sub-tropics but if it has the right micro-climate anything is possible. so just awaiting 'ladyd' now. len
Re: What is this spiky thing? There are tropical fruit you can grow in Brisbane , like Soursop . It may give you some fruit in a protected micro-climate . But there is not a snowballs chance in hell that you can grow a Durian and get fruit in Brisbane , let alone Sydney . It is a mega ultra uber tropical species . Even here in wet tropics Tully , there was enough cold to kill some trees over the winter of '07. Anything below 12 C will set it back , and under 7 will kill . Even a small Durian is 20 - 30 cms . Some of the rarer sp can be much smaller but these have red or orange shell and have been very difficult to source .
Re: What is this spiky thing? g'day aroideana, i've seen jackfruit growing and fruiting in brissy, and 'ladyd' lives northern nsw, so maybe then it is a jackfruit or maybe some other thing like one of the nuts?? all we can do is wait for the next pic 'ladyd' was going to post. len
Re: What is this spiky thing? Hi!! After dissecting the spiky thing - carefully - on my kitchen bench, I took a photo. Then the government impounded my camera and the whole area was sealed off, and the men in black came in and I saw a blinding flash of light... and now I remember nothing. Luckily, I posted this to my super secure blog No honestly, take a look! I think we can definitely identify it now! https://www.greenbackyard.net/2009/01/22/the-green-spiky-thing-gets-dissected/
Re: What is this spiky thing? g'day lady-d, we probably need a bigger closer up shot, but it looks a little like some sort of lychee?? len
Re: What is this spiky thing? yeah I vote it as a lychee, looks like the right fruit and seed as well
Re: What is this spiky thing? Right! Can do! I'll take one with my good camera tomorrow, but I do think it's a lychee too!
Re: What is this spiky thing? just any lychee i have seen i usually more rounded like a very large grape? and when ripe a reddish or russet colour?? anyhow a more defined pic' may reveal all. len
Re: What is this spiky thing? Hello - when I saw the first photo I was convinced it was a jackfruit but now I saw the tree photo I'm not too sure. I have jack fruit trees growing in my garden so if you post a close up of a leaf photo that should help me. My confusion is all the talk of Lytchees. Jackfruits are much bigger than lychees - when they are young they are pale yellowish white inside and make great curries - a good meat substitute. When they are ripe they are a bright yellow and very sweet. There are many sections inside - each section so to speak has its own brown stone. With a good leaf photo and a better fruit photo I should be able to identify it. Breadfruit is the other thing I thought of. I am 100% sure it isnt Noni as I also have that growing locally....
Re: What is this spiky thing? Hi again - I just saw the close up of the fruit photo - now I'm almost 100% sure it's not jackfruit because its far too small and the flesh doesnt look right - unless they are a bonsai variety. Maybe it is an immature litchee in which case I am really jealous....
Re: What is this spiky thing? Hi There, I have looked at your picture and it looks very much like a lychee tree, so does your 'spiky thing'. I do have one, although it has finished fruiting now...and the bats got most of it mind you).
Re: What is this spiky thing? Definitely looks like a lychee, but could also be a longan. These and the rambutan are similar plants that I remember very fondly (and with a fair amount of drool!) from my many experiences in Malaysia in the 70s-80s. Also jealous if it is either.... trish
Re: What is this spiky thing? I think it's a Lychee! We are in another country at the moment and I can't wait to go back and confirm my suspicions....