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Breynia oblongifolia

coffee bush

Phyllanthaceae

Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Breynia oblongifolia is an erect to spreading shrub reaching 1-3 m (3-10 ft) tall, with slender arching branches arranged in flattened, fern-like sprays. The alternate leaves are oblong to oval, 1-3 cm (0.4-1.2 in) long, dull green above and blue-grey beneath, turning reddish before they fall. Small greenish flowers about 2-3 mm (0.1 in) across appear along the branches; the plant is monoecious, carrying separate male and female flowers on the same stem. Pollinated flowers develop into rounded berries 5-6 mm (0.2 in) wide that ripen from green through pink and red to blue-black, with several colours often present at once. The fruit is taken by birds, which disperse the seed. The species grows in open forest, woodland margins, and rainforest edges on a range of soils, and regenerates readily after disturbance, sometimes colonising cleared ground. It is a larval food plant for several native butterfly and moth species. Foliage and stems contain compounds that have caused poisoning in grazing stock, so it is a hazard in pasture. Its open habit and multicoloured fruit are used in native and habitat plantings in eastern Australia.

Native Range

Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales, in coastal and near-coastal open forest, woodland, and rainforest margins.

Suggested Uses

Used in native habitat gardens, informal screens, and revegetation in eastern Australia, where the fruit supports birds and the foliage feeds butterfly larvae. Its toxicity makes it unsuited to plantings grazed by livestock.

How to Identify

Recognised by slender branches held in flat fern-like sprays of small oblong leaves that are grey-blue underneath. The rounded berries show several colours at once, green, pink, red, and blue-black, and the tiny flowers are greenish and easily overlooked.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 10'

Width/Spread3' - 6'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Small greenish flowers appear from spring through summer and into autumn in warmer areas, often over a long, irregular season. They are easily missed; the more visible stage is the colourful fruit that follows.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Dull green above, blue-grey beneath, reddish before falling

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on most well-drained soils, tolerating clay, sand, and loam. Established plants withstand dry spells and light frost, though young plants are more frost-tender. It responds to occasional watering in prolonged drought but needs no supplementary feeding in most soils. Because it self-seeds and suckers, it can spread beyond its planted position. Its toxicity makes it unsuited to plantings grazed by livestock.

Pruning

Pruning to shape or restrict size is tolerated and is usually done after fruiting in late winter. Plants can be cut back hard and will reshoot from the base. Removing low suckers limits unwanted spread.