Anopterus spp.

Tasmanian laurel

Escalloniaceae Eastern and southern Australia

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Anopterus spp. is a genus of two evergreen shrubs or small trees in the family Escalloniaceae, endemic to Australia. Plants grow 5-30 ft (1.5-9 m) tall, upright and bushy, with glossy, leathery, dark green leaves 3-8 in (8-20 cm) long that have shallowly toothed margins and cluster toward the branch tips. In spring, terminal racemes carry many cup- to bell-shaped flowers 0.4-0.8 in (1-2 cm) long, white or flushed pink, each with six rounded petals. The flowers are followed by slender woody seed capsules that split to release winged seed. A. glandulosus, the Tasmanian laurel, is a cool-climate understorey shrub of wet Tasmanian forest, while A. macleayanus, the Macleay laurel, grows in warmer rainforest of New South Wales and Queensland and can reach small-tree size. Both grow naturally in moist, shaded, sheltered forest and depend on cool roots and steady humidity. The genus is slow-growing and intolerant of drought, drying wind, and prolonged hard frost.

Native Range

Anopterus spp. is endemic to eastern and southern Australia, with A. glandulosus confined to Tasmania and A. macleayanus occurring in rainforest along the coast and ranges of New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Suggested Uses

Anopterus spp. is grown as a foliage and flowering shrub in cool, shaded, moist gardens, in woodland and fern gardens, and in containers kept sheltered and humid. The spring flowers draw insects. Its need for cool, moist shade limits it to mild, humid climates rather than open or dry sites.

How to Identify

Recognise Anopterus spp. by its glossy, leathery, toothed evergreen leaves crowded at the branch tips and its upright spring racemes of white to pale pink six-petalled cup-shaped flowers. The slender, upright woody seed capsules that follow are characteristic. Its laurel-like foliage and forest understorey habit separate it from Escallonia spp. and other related shrubs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 30'

Width/Spread5' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Spring

Flowering occurs mainly in spring (roughly September-November in the Southern Hemisphere), when terminal racemes of white or pink-tinged flowers stand above the foliage for several weeks. Cool, moist conditions hold the flowers longer. Woody capsules ripen through summer and persist as they shed winged seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pale pink

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Across the genus, Anopterus spp. needs a cool, sheltered, partly shaded position in moist, humus-rich, free-draining acid soil, reflecting its rainforest origins. Plants require steady moisture and humidity and grow poorly in dry air, drought, and exposed, windy sites. The Tasmanian species tolerates light to moderate frost once established, while the rainforest species is more frost-tender. Growth is slow, and plants are usually raised from seed or semi-ripe cuttings under protection. A mulch keeps the roots cool and moist. The genus rarely succeeds in hot, dry, or alkaline gardens.

Pruning

Light pruning or tip-pruning after flowering keeps the shrubs compact and bushy. Removing spent flower racemes tidies the plant and can be done as the capsules form. Old or straggly stems can be cut back into healthy wood, from which the genus usually reshoots.