Elaeocarpus cyaneus
| Elaeocarpus cyaneus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 39' |
| Width: | 39' |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Elaeocarpus cyaneus (common name: blueberry ash)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[1]. Seed can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking 2 years or more[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of almost ripe shoots, August/September in a sandy soil in a frame. The leaves should be left on the stem.[3][1]
Cultivation: Prefers a fertile humus-rich well-drained soil[1]. Other reports say that it requires a moist lime-free soil[4][5]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[6].
This species is hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[2], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. This species is said to succeed outdoors in our mildest gardens[5], especially if given a sheltered position such as a south or south-west facing wall[1].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat: Forest gullies and wooded ranges[7], usually near the coast[4].
Edibility: Fruit[8]. The dark blue fruit is 8 - 10mm in diameter[9]. No more details.
Usage: Wood - close grained, fairly hard. Used for cabinet making, joinery etc[7].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: E. reticulatus. Sm.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.
- ↑ Carolin, R. Flora of the Sydney Region. Reed, 1993.