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Meliosma spp.

meliosma

Sabiaceae

East/Southeast Asia and the Americas

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (strong)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 6–10

Overview

Meliosma spp. is a genus of about 50 deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs in the family Sabiaceae, found across tropical and warm-temperate Asia and the Americas. Cultivated species, such as M. veitchiorum and M. dilleniifolia, range from large shrubs to trees 20-50 ft (6-15 m) tall with a spreading crown and stout, sparsely branched shoots. Leaves are alternate, either simple or pinnately compound, often large and conspicuously veined, turning yellow before fall in deciduous kinds. In late spring to early summer, large terminal panicles 6-18 in (15-45 cm) long carry many tiny creamy-white flowers with a strong sweet fragrance. Small red to black drupes about 0.25 in (6 mm) across ripen in autumn and feed birds. Most species grow slowly, are slow to begin flowering, and need a mild, sheltered, moist climate. They are uncommon in gardens, found mainly in collections and larger landscapes.

Native Range

Meliosma spp. has a disjunct distribution, with species in East and Southeast Asia, from the Himalayas through China to Japan and Malesia, and in Central and South America. They grow in moist montane and lowland forests, usually as understory or mid-canopy trees.

Suggested Uses

Meliosma spp. is grown as a flowering specimen or canopy tree in woodland gardens, arboreta, and sheltered larger landscapes. Trees are spaced 20-30 ft (6-9 m) apart to allow the broad crown to develop. The summer panicles and autumn fruit suit gardens managed for fragrance and birds.

How to Identify

Identify Meliosma spp. by its large, prominently veined simple or pinnate leaves and its very large terminal panicles of tiny, fragrant creamy flowers in early summer. The small one-seeded red-to-black drupes and the stout, few-branched shoots help confirm it. Deciduous species turn clear yellow in autumn before leaf fall.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 50'

Width/Spread15' - 30'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, generally May to June, on broad terminal panicles. The many small creamy-white flowers carry a strong, sweet scent noticeable from a distance. Red drupes ripen through late summer and autumn and are taken by birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Dark green, yellow in autumn on deciduous species

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 sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Meliosma spp. grows in full sun to part shade in deep, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. The genus needs a mild, sheltered, humid climate, and most species are limited to USDA zones 7-10, with hardier deciduous kinds taking brief frost in zone 6. Plants are slow-growing and slow to reach flowering age, often taking a decade or more. Late frosts damage young growth and developing flower panicles, so a protected site helps. Dry or exposed positions cause leaf scorch and poor growth. Little routine care is needed once the tree is established.

Pruning

Meliosma spp. needs only light formative pruning to shape the young framework, done in late winter. Crossing, dead, or damaged branches are removed as they appear. Mature trees are left largely unpruned, as they recover slowly from heavy cutting.