Harpullia spp.

harpullia

Sapindaceae

Tropical Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–12

Overview

Harpullia spp. is a genus of about 26 species of evergreen shrubs and small to medium trees in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. Most reach 10-65 feet (3-20 m) tall with a rounded to spreading crown and pinnate leaves bearing 4-12 glossy leaflets. Small greenish-yellow to cream flowers are carried in slender hanging clusters and are individually inconspicuous. The fruit is the most recognizable feature: an inflated, two-lobed capsule that ripens orange to yellow and splits to expose one or two rounded black seeds, each partly covered by a red to orange aril. Birds feed on the exposed seeds and disperse them. The genus ranges across tropical Asia, Malesia, New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and Pacific islands, where plants grow in rainforest and along forest margins. Several species, including H. pendula and H. arborea, are planted as street and shade trees in frost-free regions. Plants are frost-sensitive, and the larger species cast dense shade that limits planting beneath them.

Native Range

Native across the tropics of Asia and the western Pacific, from India and southern China through Southeast Asia and Malesia to New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and islands of the southwest Pacific. Plants grow in lowland and montane rainforest and along forest edges.

Suggested Uses

Used as a shade and street tree in tropical and subtropical districts, spaced 20-30 feet (6-9 m) apart for canopy room. Smaller species suit large gardens and parkland. The lobed capsules are sometimes used in dried arrangements.

How to Identify

Identified by alternate pinnate leaves with several pairs of glossy leaflets and, when fruiting, by the inflated two-lobed orange to yellow capsules that split open along the top. The exposed black seeds each sit in a red to orange aril. The hanging clusters of small greenish flowers and the absence of tendrils separate it from climbing members of the family.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 65'

Width/Spread10' - 30'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Flowering time varies with latitude, falling mainly in spring and summer. The small flowers give way to the lobed capsules, which can persist on the tree for several weeks. In cultivation the fruit display is the main seasonal feature rather than the flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish-yellow to cream

Foliage Description

glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

10-20 years to mature size

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade in deep, free-draining soil with steady moisture during the warm season. They are tender and need a frost-free climate, growing in USDA zones 10 to 12. Young trees establish faster with mulch and regular watering through dry spells. Mature trees tolerate brief dry periods but not prolonged drought. Wind-sheltered sites reduce leaf and branch damage on the larger species. No specialized feeding is required in reasonable garden soil.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead or crossing branches and shaping young trees to a single leader. Structural pruning is done after fruiting. Lower limbs are sometimes raised on street trees to clear traffic.