> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.primalfruits.net.au/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Bignay, the Native Currant - URL: https://www.primalfruits.net.au/bignay-the-native-currant/ - Published: 2026-09-19T01:21:03.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-19T01:21:03.000Z - Author: Cyrus Roussilhes Antidesma bunius, commonly known as bignay, is an easy to grow sub-tropical evergreen tree for Perth. At Primal Fruits we have 3 fruiting species of Antidesma, Bignay being the most common. A. erostre (native currant) and A. ghaesembilla (black currant) are the others. Antidesma bunius is a bigger tree with large, shiny, hairless leaves. It bears very long, heavy bunches of fruit and prefers warm, wet places. Also approved on the WA treebate scheme. Antidesma erostre is a much smaller rainforest tree. It grows smaller, looser bunches of fruit and mostly stays in Queensland. Antidesma ghaesembilla is a small tree with soft, fuzzy leaves. It handles dry places much better than bignay and drops its leaves in dry weather. Bignay has other common names too- Bugnay, Salamander Tree, Wild Cherry. Because Antidesma bunius grows across Asia, Australia, and the Pacific, it goes by many different names around the world. More Aussie names include- Queensland Cherry or Herbert River Cherry, Chinese Laurel, Currant Tree or Currantwood. In Indonesia & Malaysia they can be called Buni, Berunai, or Wuni. In Thailand they call them Ma Mao Luang (or Ma Mao). And in Vietnam they are called Chòi Mòi. Myanmar people know this tree as Kywe-Pyisin Chinese people call them Wu Mu Lu (五目芦) or Shan Lu (山芦). In India they are referred to as Noli Tali (Assam) or Koolamula (Kerala) And finally in Sri Lanka: Karawala Kætiya. Bignay is an evergreen tree that produces massive clusters of small, juicy berries. The fruit changes from white to red and finally to deep purple-black as it ripens, creating a striking multi-coloured look on the tree. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/22/8b/228b05bc-0776-46a4-a639-8098b36c5c3e/content/images/2026/09/1000014215.jpg) It grows surprisingly well in Perth if given protection from harsh winter frosts and dry summer winds. Shaded, protected position is ideal. The ideal prune height range for this tree is between 3-5 m. This plant thrives in soil pH conditions ranging from 5.5 to 6.5\. a lot more acidic than most Perth Metro gardens. It grows well in full sun when self shaded to part shade conditions when younger. By 5th year, the minimum recommended pot size is 100L. They fruit readily in pots from 12L but will happily grow in the ground without fruiting if given the space to grow. Usually the time to fruit age is 3 - 4 years from a cutting, or 5 - 7 years from seed. Bignay is native to tropical Asia, Australia, and parts of Southeast Asia. It naturally grows in lowland forests, riverbanks, and thickets, where it thrives in warm, humid environments with well-draining soil. In its native habitat, bignay can reach up to 15 metres in height. In a home garden under Perth conditions, it usually grows to a manageable height of 3 to 5 metres while forming a dense, bushy canopy of glossy dark green leaves. The berries offer a unique sweet and tart flavour profile that is similar to a mix of cranberry and tart cherry. Unripe red berries taste quite acidic, while fully ripe purple-black berries become much sweeter and juicier. Fresh bignay berries can be eaten straight off the tree. They are widely used to make rich jams, jellies, juices, and syrups, and they are also popular for fermenting into fruit wines and liqueurs. Young leaves are sometimes cooked as a sour vegetable in traditional dishes. Bignay leaves are good for your body in many ways. They help keep your blood sugar steady after you eat. Packed with antioxidants, they protect your cells from damage. Drinking leaf tea settles an upset tummy and stops bloating. The leaves also help reduce inflammation and body pain. Young leaves give you a healthy boost of vitamin C and extra nutrients. Perth gardeners can grow bignay successfully in a warm, sheltered spot protected from frost and heavy winds. The tree requires regular watering during hot summer months and benefits from a thick layer of mulch to retain soil moisture. Planting near a north-facing brick wall or in a warm microclimate helps carry the tree through cooler winters. Growing bignay from semi-hardwood cuttings is the fastest way to get fruit. Cuttings root best in warm weather using a well-draining potting mix that is kept consistently moist and warm. Seeds germinate readily when they are planted fresh, but they grow slowly in the early stages. Seedlings require warm temperatures, consistent moisture, and protection from cold snaps. Plants grown from seed take longer to bear fruit and may show natural genetic variation. While wild seedling variations exist, named cultivars remain rare outside specialised tropical nurseries overseas, not really in Australia yet. More efforts by Australian growers could result in improved cultivars. These natural variations usually differ slightly in berry size, overall sweetness, and total fruit yield. Research on Antidesma bunius highlights its high antioxidant content, particularly in flavonoids and anthocyanins. Scientific studies continue to explore its potential health benefits, including natural antimicrobial properties and support for blood sugar regulation. Beyond producing edible fruit, bignay serves as an attractive ornamental shade tree for the garden. The bark and leaves are used in traditional natural remedies, and the dark fruit juice yields a natural reddish dye. Bignay is a great addition for rare fruit collectors looking for a hardy, highly productive berry tree. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/22/8b/228b05bc-0776-46a4-a639-8098b36c5c3e/content/images/2026/09/1000014217.png) Buy [here](https://primalfruits.com.au/products/treebate?ref=primalfruits.net.au)