Cyclophyllum, Genus, spp., Multiple species,
- Genus
- Multiple species
coast canthium
Northern and eastern Australia, New Caledonia, and the western Pacific
Overview
Cyclophyllum is a genus of about 30 evergreen shrubs and small trees in the madder family, native to Australia, New Caledonia, and the islands of the western Pacific. Plants range from low shrubs to small trees 3-26 feet (1-8 m) tall, with opposite, glossy, leathery leaves and a bushy, twiggy habit. Small cream to white flowers are clustered in the leaf axils, are often fragrant, and are followed by rounded fleshy fruits that ripen black and are eaten by birds. The genus grows in rainforest, monsoon forest, vine thicket, and coastal scrub, often on the margins of forest and on a range of soils. Cyclophyllum coprosmoides, a coastal species of eastern Australia, is grown to a limited extent as a hardy screening and habitat shrub. As a group these plants tolerate warm, frost-free conditions and varied soils but are damaged by hard frost. Most are little known in cultivation and are grown mainly in native and habitat plantings rather than as ornamentals.
Native Range
Cyclophyllum is native to northern and eastern Australia, New Caledonia, and the western Pacific islands. It grows in rainforest, monsoon forest, vine thicket, and coastal scrub, often along forest margins.Suggested Uses
Cyclophyllum is grown to a limited extent as a screening, hedging, and habitat shrub in warm coastal and subtropical gardens. The fleshy fruits draw birds, which suits it to wildlife and native plantings. In its range it is also a component of rainforest and coastal-scrub revegetation.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 26'
Width/Spread3' - 15'
Bloom Information
Flowering is mainly in spring and summer, varying with species and rainfall across its warm-climate range. The small cream to white flowers open in axillary clusters and are often lightly fragrant. Fleshy fruits follow over the warmer months, ripening black and drawing fruit-eating birds.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to whiteFoliage Description
glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-9 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
