Elaeocarpus spp.
Indo-Pacific, Australia, and Madagascar
Overview
Elaeocarpus spp. is a genus of roughly 350 evergreen trees and shrubs in the family Elaeocarpaceae, distributed across tropical and subtropical Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Madagascar. Plants range from understorey shrubs about 10 ft (3 m) tall to rainforest canopy trees reaching 100 ft (30 m). The simple, alternate leaves are leathery and dark green, with scattered older leaves turning red before they drop individually rather than in a seasonal flush. Small white to cream flowers hang in racemes and have petals fringed or toothed at the tips. The flowers are followed by fleshy drupes that in many species ripen bright blue, as in E. angustifolius and E. reticulatus, while others ripen green to black. The blue colour comes from structural iridescence rather than pigment. Several species are grown as shade and street trees in frost-free regions, and the hard stones of E. ganitrus are used as prayer beads. Most species are frost-tender and need year-round warmth, restricting cultivation to zones 9 to 12. They establish slowly, and the fleshy fruit can litter paving beneath the canopy.
Native Range
Native across tropical and subtropical Asia, including India, southern China, and Southeast Asia, extending through Malesia to northern and eastern Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Madagascar.Suggested Uses
Larger species are used as shade, street, and parkland trees in frost-free climates, while compact species such as E. reticulatus are planted as screening shrubs. The blue-fruited species are grown for their persistent blue drupes, which are eaten by fruit-eating birds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 98'5"
Width/Spread10' - 40'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring and summer, though timing varies with species and climate across the wide range of the genus. The fringed flowers open in hanging clusters along the previous season growth. In equatorial species, flowering can occur through much of the year.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to creamFoliage Description
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