Australian Green Plum (Buchanania obovata)

Green plum fruit grow on the tree Buchanania obovata in the Northern Territory and Western Australia and the flesh and seed of the fruit is harvested and eaten by Aboriginal Australians. Green plums are a small drupe that grow to about 10–17 mm in length and are part of the family Anacardiaceae. They provide valuable nutrients to the Aboriginal people who live in remote parts of Australia. Green plums are high in potassium and are a good source of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and dietary fibre. They have promisingly high levels of folate, the highest being the vitamer 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-CH3-H4folate). Green plums contain other phenolic compounds and phytonutrients that may have pharmacological effects and health benefits to those who eat this fruit, including gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid. Green plums are a traditional food that could be promoted further for their health benefits and nutritional properties, especially to the Aboriginal people who value and eat them.