Overview
Glochidion ferdinandi is an evergreen tree reaching 5-15 m (16-50 ft) tall, with a dense rounded to spreading crown and smooth grey to brown bark. The alternate leaves are oval to elliptic, 4-9 cm (1.6-3.5 in) long, dark green and glossy above and paler beneath, arranged in two ranks along the branchlets. It is monoecious, carrying separate male and female flowers in small clusters in the leaf axils; the flowers are tiny, greenish-yellow, and without petals. Female flowers develop into flattened ribbed capsules 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) wide, segmented like a small pumpkin or wheel of cheese, which gives the tree its common name. The capsules ripen reddish and split to release seeds coated in an orange-red aril taken by birds. It grows in and along the margins of subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest, in moist open forest, and on stream banks in eastern Australia. A fast-growing pioneer of disturbed and regenerating ground, it is a larval food plant for several native moth species. Its surface roots and dense shade can limit underplanting.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to far eastern Victoria, in rainforest margins, moist open forest, and along watercourses, often as an early coloniser of cleared land.Suggested Uses
Planted as a fast shade or screening tree in subtropical and warm-temperate gardens, in rainforest regeneration, and in bird- and butterfly-habitat plantings. Its size and surface roots suit larger gardens and parkland rather than confined beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height16' - 50'
Width/Spread10' - 26'
Bloom Information
The small greenish-yellow petal-less flowers appear from spring into summer in axillary clusters and are easily overlooked. The more visible stage is the ribbed cheese-like capsule that follows, ripening red over summer and autumn and splitting to show orange-red seeds.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy dark green above, paler beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 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