The Blue Olive-berry, Elaeocarpus reticulatus¸ is a Warm Temperate Rainforest shrub, which often occurs as tall understorey in a Bloodwood forest. Elaeocarpus from Greek elaia the olive tree and karpos a fruit in reference to the similarity of the fruit to that the olive. Reticulatus from Latin reticulatus like a net or marked referring to the conspicuous net veins of the leaves.

The example shown right is a juvenile. The distinctive leaf shape can be seen, with its sunken veins, serrated edges and pointed tip. All of these features help the leaf shed water during heavy rain – a rainforest characteristic.

The blue fruits are eaten and collected by Satin Bower Birds, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus. The male Bower bird attracts a mate by building a bower, displaying his prowess at providing food, and even performing a dance. In modern times they also collect other blue items, such as clothes-pegs and bottle caps.

The Blue Olive-berry can be found along any gully at Manna Park. This photo was taken at map coordinates 58 329, 19 190 (T.Hastings 14/8/2009).

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