Acronychia imperforata
beach acronychia
Overview
Acronychia imperforata is an evergreen shrub to small tree of the eastern Australian coast, growing 10–26 feet (3–8 m) tall with a dense, rounded canopy. The leaves are simple, glossy, and obovate, 1.5–4 inches (4–10 cm) long, leathery, and dotted with oil glands that smell faintly of citrus when crushed, reflecting its place in the citrus family. Small cream to pale yellow flowers about 0.2–0.3 inch (5–8 mm) across appear in short clusters along the branches. These are followed by rounded, pale yellow, fleshy fruits 0.4–0.8 inch (10–20 mm) across, each containing a few seeds. The plant grows naturally on coastal dunes, headlands, and the margins of littoral rainforest, often within reach of salt spray. Acronychia imperforata withstands wind, salt, and sandy soils, which suits it to exposed seaside planting, and it forms a low canopy and screen in such sites. It grows slowly to moderately and is frost-sensitive, limiting it to warm temperate and subtropical climates. Its dense habit and tolerance of coastal conditions account for its use in foreshore and dune plantings in eastern Australia.
Native Range
Native to the eastern coast of Australia, from central and southern Queensland into northeastern New South Wales. It grows on coastal dunes, headlands, and the edges of littoral rainforest.Suggested Uses
Acronychia imperforata is used in coastal and foreshore plantings, as a windbreak, and as a screening shrub or small tree in seaside gardens. Its salt and wind tolerance suits it to exposed dune and headland sites in warm climates.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 26'
Width/Spread8' - 16'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly through spring and summer, from about September to February, with some variation along the coast. Cream to pale yellow flowers form in small clusters on the branches. The pale yellow fruits ripen in the months after flowering and can persist into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to pale yellowFoliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight