Cyclophyllum coprosmoides
Coast Canthium
Overview
Cyclophyllum coprosmoides is an evergreen shrub to small tree in the family Rubiaceae, growing 6-16 feet (2-5 m) tall with a dense, bushy habit. The opposite leaves are glossy dark green, leathery, and oval to elliptic, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, with smooth margins and small stipules between the leaf bases typical of the family. Small white, tubular flowers about 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across cluster in the leaf axils, mainly in spring and summer, and carry a sweet scent. Rounded fleshy fruits about 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) across follow, ripening from green to black and holding one or two seeds. The species grows in coastal and subcoastal scrub, vine thicket, and the margins of littoral rainforest in eastern Australia, on sandy and rocky soils. It tolerates salt-laden wind, sandy soils, and short dry periods once established. In cultivation it forms a dense screen or hedge and responds to clipping. Growth is moderate, and the glossy foliage holds through the year. The fruit is eaten by birds, which spread the seed. Heavy frost damages young growth.
Native Range
Cyclophyllum coprosmoides is native to eastern Australia, from coastal New South Wales through Queensland. It grows in coastal scrub, vine thicket, and the margins of littoral rainforest on sandy and rocky soils near the sea.Suggested Uses
Planted as a coastal hedge, screen, and windbreak in seaside and near-coastal gardens. Used as a dense background shrub and informal specimen on sandy soils. The flowers and black fruit attract bees and fruit-eating birds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 16'
Width/Spread5' - 10'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Grow Cyclophyllum coprosmoides in full sun to part shade in well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soil. Water through the first growing season to establish the shrub, after which it withstands salt wind and short dry periods. It suits coastal and near-coastal gardens and tolerates clipping into a screen or hedge. Young plants need shelter from heavy frost, which damages new growth. An annual mulch supports steady growth in poorer soils. Waterlogged ground can cause root decline.Pruning
Clip Cyclophyllum coprosmoides after flowering to maintain a dense screen or hedge. The shrub resprouts from older wood and tolerates regular trimming. Hard renovation pruning is done in spring as growth resumes.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons