Cryptocarya triplinervis
brown laurel
Eastern coastal Australia (New South Wales and Queensland)
Overview
Cryptocarya triplinervis is an evergreen tree reaching 30-80 feet (9-25 m) tall in sheltered rainforest, but often a dense shrub of 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m) on exposed coastal sites. The trunk carries smooth to finely fissured grey-brown bark. Leaves are elliptic to oval, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, glossy dark green above and dull below, marked by three prominent veins running from the leaf base, sometimes with rusty hairs on the underside. Small cream to greenish flowers are borne in branched clusters in spring and early summer. Rounded fleshy fruit 0.4-0.6 inch (1-1.5 cm) across ripen from green to black in autumn and are taken by fruit-eating birds. Growth is moderate. The species tolerates salt-laden coastal wind, taking a lower, denser form in such positions, and grows taller in protected gullies.
Native Range
Native to the east coast of Australia from northern New South Wales through Queensland. Grows in littoral and lowland subtropical rainforest, often on sand or basalt soils near the coast at low elevations.Suggested Uses
Planted as a coastal screen, hedge, or shade tree, spaced 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m) apart depending on the form wanted. Fruit draws native fruit-eating birds. Larger specimens cast dense shade that limits underplanting.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height15' - 80'
Width/Spread10' - 30'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
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
Grows in full sun to part shade on free-draining sandy or loamy soils, with regular water through establishment. Established plants tolerate coastal wind, salt spray, and short dry periods. Growth slows in cold or frost-prone sites, where young foliage is damaged below 30°F (-1°C). Few pests are recorded on the species. Mulching maintains the cool, moist root conditions of its rainforest origin.Pruning
Responds to pruning by branching densely, which suits its use as a screen or hedge. Trimming after fruiting maintains shape and size. Lower branches can be removed to expose a single trunk for a tree form.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall