Wilkiea hugeliana
common wilkiea
Overview
Wilkiea hugeliana is an evergreen rainforest shrub or small tree reaching 10-26 feet (3-8 m) tall with a slender, upright form. Leaves are opposite, elliptic to lance-shaped, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, glossy dark green above with toothed margins and a leathery texture. Small cream to greenish flowers about 0.1 inch (3 mm) across appear in sprays along the stems; male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Female plants bear fleshy oval fruit 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) long that ripen from red to black. It grows as an understory plant in shaded, moist forest and keeps a narrow crown in low light. Growth is slow, and plants flower and fruit only after several years. New growth is reddish before hardening to green. In open or dry sites the leaves can scorch and the plant stays stunted.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, in rainforest from southern New South Wales north into Queensland. It grows in the moist, shaded understory of subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest, often along creek flats and lower slopes, from near sea level to 3,300 feet (1,000 m).Suggested Uses
Planted in shaded gardens, rainforest restoration, and as an understory screen at 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) spacing. The fruit draws native birds. Slow growth and shade requirements make it unsuited to exposed or fast-screening plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 26'
Width/Spread6' - 13'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to greenishFoliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
It grows in part to full shade in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Water regularly to keep the soil moist; the plant does not tolerate prolonged drought. Exposure to strong sun and wind causes leaf scorch. Growth is slow, adding 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) per year in cultivation. Few pests or diseases affect it in shaded sites.Pruning
Tip-prune in spring to build a denser, bushier form. Plants tolerate light pruning but are slow to regrow after hard cutting. Dead or damaged stems can be removed at any time.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early springlate spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons