Also known as brown gardenia, this member of the Rubiaceae family is becoming a sought after plant for backyards with its beautifully scented flowers and lush growth. Although capable of growing to 8m, this plant is an excellent specimen for indoor or outdoor containers. Flowers open in the afternoon and attract day moths for fertilisation.
Weed Category:
Weed:
No
Form or habit:
Shrub
Family:
Rubiaceae
Leaf:
Simple Opposite The bright lime coloured leaves are simple, opposite, glossy to 25cm in length; with distinctive sunken side-veins.
Flower conspicuous:
Conspicuous
Flower colour:
White
Flower description:
Fragrant white tubular flowers, containing five prominent petals with an overall diameter of roughly 3cm. September to May.
Fruit conspicuous:
Conspicuous
Fruit colour:
Green, Yellow
Fruit:
Fleshy
Fruit description:
Matures from green to yellow and can be eaten fresh, 4-8cm in diameter. The whitish small seeds are flat and triangular, and surrounded by a soft pulp. April to June.
Habitat:
Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, rainforest.
Distribution
Cooktown to Queensland’s Central Coast.
Food source for:
Fruit eaten by a large range of animals. Important food source for the cassowary further north.
Toxicity:
No toxicity known
Origin:
Australia
Notes:
Edible for humans.
Information sources:
Society for Growing Australian Plants (1985) Monthly bulletin. Volume 8 No. 5.
