Xylomelum pyriforme
woody pear
Overview
Xylomelum pyriforme is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 13-33 feet (4-10 m) tall with a narrow, upright crown. Adult leaves are leathery, lance-shaped, 3-7 inches (8-18 cm) long, dark green with prominent veins; juvenile leaves are larger and toothed. Cream to white flowers are packed into cylindrical spikes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long in late spring and summer. The flowers are followed by the woody, pear-shaped fruit that gives the plant its name, 2.5-4 inches (6-10 cm) long, which stay closed on the branch and open after fire or death to release two winged seeds. New growth is often rust-coloured and softly hairy. Growth is slow, and plants take several years to flower. The plant grows on poor sandy soils and resprouts from a woody base (lignotuber) after fire. It is sensitive to high soil phosphorus and to poor drainage. The hard, persistent fruit and slow growth limit its use in small or formal gardens.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, along the coast and adjacent ranges of New South Wales and southern Queensland. Grows in heath, dry sclerophyll forest, and woodland on low-nutrient sandy soils, generally at low elevations.Suggested Uses
Planted in native and low-water gardens on sandy soils, and in bushland regeneration, spaced 8-16 feet (2.5-5 m) apart. The woody fruit is used in dried arrangements. The slow growth and low-phosphorus requirement limit its use in standard garden beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height13' - 33'
Width/Spread6' - 16'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Cream to whiteFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-9 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
Grows in full sun to light shade in well-drained sandy or gravelly soils of low fertility. Plants tolerate extended drought once established and need little water. Low-phosphorus fertiliser suits the plant, as Xylomelum spp. roots are damaged by high phosphorus. Poor drainage and rich soils cause root rot and decline. Growth is slow, and plants take several years to reach flowering size. After fire, plants resprout from a woody lignotuber at the base.Pruning
Light pruning after flowering shapes the plant and removes spent spikes. The woody fruit can be left for its persistence or removed by hand. Hard pruning into bare old wood produces slow regrowth, though the lignotuber resprouts after severe cutting or fire.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer