Christmas flowering

A shrub or tree to 20 metres. Sometimes called Scrub Christmas tree due to the masses of white flowers which appear around late December and give the tree a layered appearance. An excellent pioneer species and can grow at a rate of 3 metre a year in favourable conditions. It is often shredded by insects which feed on its large fleshy, rust-tinged leaves. Its canopy is not complete, and ground covers can easily grow in its partial shade.

Flowers at Christmas time. Photo: Anne Jones

Name

Commersonia, after Philibert Commerson, French naturalist on Bougainville’s expedition in 1766-69, bartramia after J. Bartram, an Anglo-American responsible for the introduction of many North American trees to Europe.

Flower. Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

The fruit of Commersonia bartramia is a rounded capsule, about 10–12 mm in diameter, completely covered with long, stellate, hairy bristles. Fruit is mature in March to June. Seeds are small, about 1.5–2 mm long and 1–1.5 mm wide, with a yellow or orange funicle. Collect mature fruits when they turn brown and begin to split, indicating the seeds are ripe. Place the collected capsules in a paper bag or similar container and store them in a warm, dry place. As they dry, the capsules will continue to split open, making it easier to access the seeds. Fresh untreated seed may germinate erratically. Boil the seed and leave it to cool for 12 hours. May be grown from cuttings.

Commersonia bartramia seedpods beginning to open showing the brown seeds inside. Glenella Street Park, 27 April 2025. Photo: Anne Jones