Riberry is the name given to the tart red fruit of the Lilly Pilly - one of Australia's most popular hedge plants and one that you'll know very well, even if the name doesn't immediately ring a bell. Better known for its glossy leaves and fluffy flowers, you might be surprised to learn that the Lilly Pilly has one more trick up its sleeve - riberries. These small, long-lasting red/purple berries have a flavour likened to cranberries, but with an aromatic edge.One of the first native edibles noted by Captain Cook, riberries have a complex flavour (of cloves, or even cinnamon) due to essential oils found in other plants including ginger, lemons, bay leaves and pine. The pear-shaped riberries can be used to make anything from jams to sauces, syrup to chutney, cakes and sweets. They can even be eaten straight from the tree - just don't forget that each one has a seed in the middle!With Lilly Pillies commonly acting as a shade trees, windbreaks and as a hedge plant, it is nothing but bonus points that they also serve up these delicious little treats. Having only fallen back into favour on a broader spectrum since the 1980's, riberries are starting to be commercially cultivated on a small scale. They are also currently being profiled for their long term health benefits.In the garden, Lilly Pillies are a magnet for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. And as a native, they are incredibly easy to grow and very very hardy.Image: Alybaba/Shutterstock