Common in remnants

Small tree in littoral and subtropical rainforest, chiefly on the coast, north from Jervis Bay, NSW. Recorded as growing up to 25 metres tall with a 50 cm wide trunk, but is usually seen as a much smaller dense-canopied plant when seen in the wild around Brisbane. It is commonly seen in remnant and regenerating rainforest.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Leaves obovate to elliptic, 2-10 cm long, 10-40 mm wide, apex obtuse or bluntly acuminate, venation more or less visible on lower surface, upper surface deep green and dull, lower surface paler, domatia sometimes present, petiole 2-10 mm long. This specimen was seen at Kadanga, near Gympie.

Foliage and trunk. Photo: Robert Whyte

Cream, fragrant flowers which fade to golden brown with age, mainly November to February. The fruit that follow are orange red, glossy and said to be edible. Not very palatable. Slow growing, yet quite a tough plant that can handle a variety of conditions once established in the garden. This specimen was photographed near Obi Obi Creek, near Kenilworth. This plant was previously known as Canthium coprosmoidesin some quarters. That genus name was derived from the Malay word canti, a name given to a tree in Malacca which was the first described species of the genus. The old species name was derived from Coprosma, a shrub with similar leaves, and the Greek word eidos, resembling, in reference to this Canthium‘s similarity to the shrub Coprosma.

Flower buds. Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

Fruit are orange red and glossy around 10 mm long. They appear from October to January. Within the fruit are often two seeds, one each within the two lobes of the hard capsule, surrounded by the glossy red aril. Dry compost fruit in mulch for 6-12 months, until some germination occurs. Cover material lightly with seed raising mix.