Burdekin plum and the sulphur-crested cockatoo

Burdekin plum (Pleiogynium timorense)

The Burdekin plum (Pleiogynium timorense) is medium-sized densely canopied tree that grows to 20 m. It is a member of the mango family (Anacardiaceae). It takes its name from the Burdekin River, where it is a common sight along the river banks.

The Burdekin plum is distributed throughout north-east Queensland in beach scrubs, vine thickets and along watercourses. On Magnetic Island the Burdekin plum is very adaptable to a range of habitats and is found on beach foredunes, vine scrubs, open woodlands, closed forests, along creek lines and on the rocky footslopes of the hills.

It is characterised by dark rough bark, which becomes tessellated, forming small squares with age. Burdekin plum timber with its blood-red colour and lovely grain is much sought after in the wood turning trades. It is a strong and versatile timber much valued for cabinet making.

The Burdekin plum produces a large, purple, fleshy plum-like fruit, which follows the inconspicuous flowers. Inside the fruit is a large woody seed case containing numerous small seeds. The fruit is edible and two varieties exist: a purple variety and a white variety, the latter being less acidic. Burdekin Plum jam is made from a traditional Island recipe.

The Burdekin plum fruit is also much favoured by the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and the sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita). It is common to see the sulphur-crested cockatoo waddling around under the canopy of the Burdekin plum looking for recently fallen fruit.

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is a large conspicuous white parrot with a yellow crest that is frequently raised in alarm or for display. With a large distribution across most of north and eastern Australia, the sulphur-crested cockatoo is found mainly in forests and woodlands where it nests in tree hollows. The call of the sulphur-crested cockatoo is an extremely loud raucous screech. Commonly forming flocks numbering in the hundreds, they can be extremely noisy. They are generally more active in the morning and prefer to spend the hotter part of the day perched in the shade of a tree preening.

Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo