Jagera spp.

Sapindaceae Eastern Australia and New Guinea

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Jagera spp. is a small genus of trees in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, native to eastern Australia and New Guinea. The plants are evergreen trees, with J. pseudorhus (foambark) reaching about 30 to 65 feet (9 to 20 m) in rainforest and rather less in the open. The leaves are large and pinnate, divided into many narrow, often sickle-shaped leaflets along a central stalk. Small yellowish to brownish flowers are carried in branched sprays, followed by three-lobed capsules densely covered in reddish-brown irritant hairs. These hairs can cause itching on contact with skin. The bark and crushed tissue contain saponins, and the common name foambark refers to the lather produced when the bark is rubbed in water, a property used traditionally as a fish poison and soap substitute. The genus grows in subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest and along forest margins on moist, fertile soils. The irritant fruit hairs and the size of the tree limit its use to larger gardens and parks in frost-free climates.

Native Range

Jagera spp. is native to eastern Australia and New Guinea. J. pseudorhus grows along the east coast of Australia from New South Wales to Queensland in rainforest and forest margins.

Suggested Uses

Jagera spp. is used as a canopy and shade tree in large gardens, parks, and rainforest restoration in frost-free climates. The fern-like pinnate foliage suits subtropical and rainforest-style plantings. Because of the irritant fruit hairs, the tree is positioned away from paths and play areas.

How to Identify

Plants are evergreen trees with large pinnate leaves divided into many narrow, often curved leaflets along a central stalk. Branched sprays of small yellowish to brownish flowers are followed by three-lobed capsules thickly coated in reddish-brown hairs that irritate the skin. The pinnate leaves and densely hairy three-parted capsules, together with bark that lathers in water, identify Jagera spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 65'

Width/Spread20' - 40'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs mainly in spring, roughly September to November in the native range. The small flowers are yellowish to brownish and grouped in branched sprays, with male and bisexual flowers on the same tree. Insects visit the flowers, which are followed by the hairy capsules in summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellowish to brown

Foliage Description

green

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

10-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Jagera spp. grows in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile, well-drained soils, reflecting its rainforest origins. The genus is frost-tender and suited to warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates, roughly USDA zones 10 to 11. Young plants grow in shade and reach into full sun as they mature into canopy trees. Plants tolerate moderate drought once established but grow faster with steady moisture and shelter from strong wind. Propagation is by fresh seed, which loses viability quickly, sown after the irritant hairs are removed during cleaning.

Pruning

Young trees can be shaped by removing competing leaders to form a single trunk. Mature trees need little pruning beyond removing dead or damaged wood. The hairy fruit can be cleared from paths and seating areas where the irritant hairs are a nuisance.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans

Trees