Guioa spp.

guioa

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Guioa spp. is a genus of about 65 species of evergreen shrubs and small to medium trees in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), ranging from South-East Asia through Malesia to eastern Australia and the western Pacific. Plants vary from shrubs a few feet high to trees 30–50 ft (9–15 m) tall, most often forming small, bushy trees of rainforest margins and regrowth. The leaves are pinnate, with two to several pairs of glossy leaflets 1.5–5 in (4–13 cm) long, and new growth often emerges pink, red, or coppery before hardening to green. Small cream to greenish flowers about 0.1–0.2 in (3–5 mm) across are carried in branched sprays, and are followed by lobed, leathery capsules that split open to reveal black seeds partly wrapped in a fleshy orange to yellow aril. Birds feed on the arils and disperse the seed. Many species are pioneer plants that colonise cleared and disturbed rainforest, and several are grown as shade and habitat trees in subtropical gardens and revegetation.

Native Range

Native to South-East Asia, Malesia, eastern Australia, and the western Pacific, growing in rainforest, monsoon forest, and their margins from the lowlands to lower mountain slopes. Several Australian species are common in regrowth and along forest edges.

Suggested Uses

Grown as small shade and habitat trees, screens, and rainforest-garden plants in subtropical and tropical gardens, and in revegetation of cleared land. The coloured new growth and bird-attracting fruit add seasonal interest. Smaller species suit large containers and courtyard plantings.

How to Identify

Recognised by pinnate leaves of glossy paired leaflets and pink to coppery new growth, on a shrub or small rainforest tree. Branched sprays of tiny cream flowers and lobed capsules that open to show black seeds in a bright orange aril confirm the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 50'

Width/Spread15' - 30'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

red

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs mainly in spring and summer, with small cream to greenish flowers borne in branched sprays among the foliage. Flowering is followed over the following months by the lobed capsules and their aril-coated seeds. In the tropics the timing is less fixed and can extend through the warm season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Cream to greenish

Foliage Description

Glossy green, new growth pink to coppery

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to part shade in moist, free-draining soils with organic matter, reflecting their rainforest and forest-margin origins. Young plants need steady moisture, while established trees tolerate short dry periods. Most species are frost-tender and grow in warm, frost-free, humid climates, though some montane species withstand light frost. They respond to mulching and grow at a moderate, sometimes rapid rate as pioneer plants. Pruning is tolerated for shaping and size control. Few serious pests affect them in cultivation.

Pruning

Plants tolerate pruning to control size and shape, and respond with bushier growth and fresh coloured shoots. Formative pruning when young builds a single trunk or a multi-stemmed shrub. Larger trees need little pruning beyond removal of dead or crossing branches.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer