Persoonia virgata
small-leaved geebung
Eastern Australia (New South Wales to south-eastern Queensland)
Overview
Persoonia virgata is an upright evergreen shrub of the family Proteaceae, reaching 3–10 feet (1–3 m) tall and 3–6.5 feet (1–2 m) wide. The slender, often weeping branches carry narrow, linear leaves 0.8–2 inches (20–50 mm) long and about 0.04–0.1 inch (1–3 mm) wide, mid to deep green. Small, tubular yellow flowers about 0.4 inch (10 mm) long open singly along the stems through summer and into autumn, each with four recurved tepals and a central style. The fruit is a fleshy green drupe, or geebung, about 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) long that ripens and falls. P. virgata grows in heath, dry sclerophyll forest, and woodland on sandy soils in eastern Australia, from coastal New South Wales into Queensland. It tolerates poor sandy soils, drought, and fire, regenerating from seed and from a lignotuber, but it is slow and unreliable to raise from seed and is sensitive to root disturbance and phosphorus-rich soils.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, in heath, dry sclerophyll forest, and woodland on sandy soils from coastal New South Wales into south-eastern Queensland.Suggested Uses
Used in native and coastal gardens as a foliage and screening shrub on sandy, low-phosphorus soils. Suited to low-water and fire-prone sites in full sun to part shade. Spaced 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 m) apart.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 10'
Width/Spread3' - 6'6"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
mid to deep greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-12 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