Characteristics
An evergreen shrub or tree. It grows 4-10 m high and spreads 6 m wide. The leaves are simple and greyish-green. They are broadly oval and tough. They are leathery and the edges of the leaves roll under. The leaves are mostly held stiff and upright. The flowers are white with long stalks. They are bell shaped and have 4 parts. They occur in small panicles. They have a scent. The fruit is fleshy with a stone inside. It is 2 cm across and olive green. It turns purple as it ripens. It has one seed.
| Life form |
perennial
|
| Growth form |
tree
|
| Growth support |
free-standing
|
| Foliage retention |
evergreen
|
| Sexuality |
hermaphrodite
|
| Pollination |
-
|
| Spread |
-
|
| Mature width (meter) |
6.0
|
| Mature height (meter) |
5.0 - 8.75
|
| Root system |
-
|
| Rooting depth (meter) |
-
|
| Root diameter (meter) |
-
|
| Flower color |
|
| Blooming months |
-
|
| Fruit color |
-
|
| Fruiting months |
-
|
| Nitrogen fixer |
-
|
| Photosynthetic pathway |
-
|
Environment
A tropical plant. It is native to Madagascar and the Comores. It grows in dry coastal woodland. It can tolerate drought and salt spray. It does best in full sun but will grow in light shade. It can grow on a range of soils. It grows well by the seaside. It can grow in salty soil. It is wind resistant. It is damaged by frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.
| Light |
|
| Soil humidity |
|
| Soil texture |
-
|
| Soil acidity |
-
|
| Soil nutriment |
-
|
| Hardiness (USDA) |
|
Usage
The flesh of the fruit is eaten. It is like an olive but has the flavour of a fresh lychee. Caution: The seeds are probably poisonous.
Cultivation
Plants are grown from seed or cuttings.
| Mode |
seedlings
|
| Germination duration (days) |
-
|
| Germination temperacture (C°) |
-
|
| Germination luminosity |
-
|
| Germination treatment |
-
|
| Minimum temperature (C°) |
-
|
| Optimum temperature (C°) |
-
|
| Size |
-
|
| Vigor |
-
|
| Productivity |
-
|
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