Elaeocarpus grandiflorus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Elaeocarpus lanceolata
- Monocera lanceolata
- Phonetic Spelling
- El-lee-oh-kar-PUS gran-dih-FLOR-us
- Description
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Elaeocarpus grandiflorus, or Lily of the Valley Tree, is an evergreen small tree or shrub with leathery dark green leaves and attractive fringed white flowers. Left to its own devices, it can reach heights of 90 feet, but it is more typically kept small and grown in a container. It is often grown as an ornamental in the landscape. It is native to Indochina and is typically found in tropical or sub-tropical rain forests and is not cold hardy.
Lily of the Valley Tree produces clusters of frilly flowers with the blooms all along the stems from late winter through summer. It makes an excellent indoor plant for its ability to tolerate dry conditions and lower light levels. It is ideal for the tropical garden as it needs little maintenance, tolerates low nutrient and dry soils, but performs best when well watered. It is hardy to at least a light freeze when established (as low as mid-20's). Small plants require regular watering, then as the plant matures in the ground, it becomes drought tolerant.
The fruit of this tree, once cleaned of the flesh and polished, are used in India as stones in necklaces, bracelets and other ornaments, or in rosaries with religious significance.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pest issues. Sensitive to overfeeding when grown indoors. The tree is normally evergreen, but may shed leaves for a short period of time during cold or drought periods.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Elaeocarpus
- Species:
- grandiflorus
- Family:
- Elaeocarpaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The bitter bark has been used as a poultice for ulcers. Leaves and seeds are bitter and used as tonic.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Indo-China to Malesia
- Distribution:
- Borneo, Cambodia, Laos, Malaya, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds and is a food plant for butterflies.
- Edibility:
- Fruits are edible but sour.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Dense
- Erect
- Oval
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Green-yellow 1 inch ovoid drupe with a fleshy coating. Inside is a 4-seeded stone marked with 5 vertical grooves.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Small, 1 to 1 1/2 inch, white fringed flowers appear in late spring. Flowers are pendulous clusters with pinkish-red sepals and frilly white petals. The flowers hang downwards, reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley. Each bloom is clasped in narrow, finely pointed sepals, with its petals deeply incised to give the appearance of a shaggy fringe. Flowers have an unusual liquorice scent.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Young leaves are red, turning dark green. Old leaves turn bright red to scarlet before falling. Clusters of finely toothed, glossy leaves are hairy and paler beneath.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
