Eupomatia laurina
Bolwarra
Overview
An evergreen rainforest shrub to small tree reaching 10-25 feet (3-8 m) tall and 8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 m) wide, taller in sheltered forest. Leaves alternate in two ranks, glossy dark green, elliptic, 2.5-5 inches (6-13 cm) long and 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wide, leathery with slightly wavy margins. Flowers solitary, 0.6-1.2 inches (1.5-3 cm) across, cream to pale yellow, lacking true petals and instead bearing numerous petal-like staminodes around a flat receptacle; they open for one to two days and are pollinated by weevils. Flowering occurs late spring through summer. Fruit an urn-shaped berry 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) wide, green ripening to yellow-green, crowned by the persistent floral rim, with many seeds in aromatic pulp. Growth rate is slow to moderate in shade. Foliage yellows in full sun and exposed positions.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from north-eastern Queensland south through New South Wales to eastern Victoria. Grows in the understorey and margins of subtropical, warm-temperate, and littoral rainforest, usually on moist, fertile soils below 3,000 feet (900 m).Suggested Uses
Planted in shaded native gardens, rainforest plantings, and as an understorey shrub at 8-12 foot (2.4-3.7 m) spacing. The aromatic fruit pulp is edible and used in bushfood plantings. Grows in large containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L) in a sheltered, shaded position.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 25'
Width/Spread8' - 15'
Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years
Bloom Information
Flowers October through February in its native range, peaking in early summer. Individual flowers open for one to two days, changing from cream to deeper yellow as they age. Weevils pollinate the flowers, which they enter to feed and breed. Fruit ripens over several months from late summer into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Cream to pale yellowFoliage Description
Glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 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
Water regularly through the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate short dry periods but produce denser growth with consistent soil moisture. Grows in part shade to full shade, matching its rainforest understorey origin. Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils high in organic matter. Mulch to keep roots cool and conserve moisture. Foliage scorches in hot, exposed sites and few serious pests occur. Responds to slow-release fertilizer applied in spring.Pruning
Prune after fruiting to shape or contain size, cutting to a node above outward-facing buds. Remove dead or crossing stems in late winter. Tolerates light formative pruning when young to encourage branching. No routine pruning is required for fruit production.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons