Atractocarpus fitzalanii
brown gardenia
Overview
Atractocarpus fitzalanii is an evergreen small tree reaching 13-26 feet (4-8 m) tall with an upright trunk and a dense, rounded crown 10-16 feet (3-5 m) wide. The leaves are opposite, glossy dark green, and obovate to elliptic, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, clustered toward the branch tips. White tubular flowers 1-1.6 inches (25-40 mm) across open singly in the leaf axils and are strongly fragrant, resembling those of cultivated gardenias. The fruit is a rounded berry 1.6-2.8 inches (40-70 mm) wide, ripening from green to orange-yellow, with soft pulp and many seeds, giving rise to the alternative common name yellow mangosteen. A. fitzalanii grows in lowland and upland rainforest in north-eastern Queensland, Australia. Growth is moderate, and young plants need shelter from wind and direct sun until established. The species is frost-sensitive, restricting cultivation to frost-free tropical and subtropical zones, and the ripe fruit drops and stains paving beneath the canopy.
Native Range
Atractocarpus fitzalanii is native to north-eastern Queensland, Australia, where it grows in lowland and upland tropical rainforest, often along margins and in regrowth.Suggested Uses
A. fitzalanii is grown as a fragrant flowering specimen, screen, or large clipped shrub in tropical and subtropical gardens, spaced 8-13 feet (2.5-4 m) apart. It also suits large containers in frost-free courtyards.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height13' - 26'
Width/Spread10' - 16'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer, roughly October to January in the native range. The white tubular flowers open singly in the leaf axils and carry a strong gardenia-like fragrance. Fruit ripens over the following months to orange-yellow.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
A. fitzalanii grows in full sun to part shade in a warm, frost-free, wind-sheltered position. It prefers well-drained soils rich in organic matter and even moisture through the warmer months. Regular watering during the first two to three growing seasons supports establishment. Growth is moderate, and young plants benefit from shade and shelter until the canopy forms. Frost damages foliage and stems, limiting cultivation to USDA zones 10-11. A spring application of balanced fertiliser supports flowering and fruiting.Pruning
Light pruning after flowering shapes the crown and removes dead or crossing branches. A. fitzalanii tolerates clipping and can be held as a large formal shrub. It reshoots readily from pruned wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons