The EIC competed vigorously with the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (Dutch East India Company) for access to goods in the Indonesian archipelago. Nutmeg was the most prized item. Both sides believed it was worth its weight in other people's blood.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) grew only on the Banda Islands in the Moluccas. Whoever controlled the islands, controlled the spice trade. The VOC maintained their monopoly for the best part of two centuries until the British regained access to the trade in 1810. Just to be on the safe side, the EIC established plantations in the West Indies and Zanzibar. So the nutmeg monopoly ended.
Why am I mentioning this? I've been collecting fallen fruit and identifying them from Wendy Cooper's magnificent book 'Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest'. I use the standard method of comparing them to the illustrations, which are superb.
But one fruit was giving me problems. It was dull, furry and dun-coloured and I couldn't work out which of the many dull, furry and dun-coloured fruit it was. So I did what I normally do under these circumstances and ignored it.
A few days later, the case split to reveal the seed. And, I am delighted to say, I recognised it without having to leaf through the book — it's a native nutmeg (Myristica globosa). (This one isn't quite ripe. The aril on mature seeds is usually orange or red.)
If only this species were edible, I'd replace the Land for Wildlife sign with one saying 'Snail's East India Company' and become rich beyond the dreams of avarice. Bwahahahaha!
Oh, dear. Did I just type that?
While we're on the topic of fruits …
Ripe quandongs (Elaeocarpus grandis) — I don't expect they'll be still there in the morning
Poison walnut (Cryptocarya pleurosperma): 0. White-tailed rat: 1
