Brown Gardenia / Randia
Origin of name
Family: RUBIACEAE
- Atractocarpus meaning “spindle-shaped fruit“
- fitzalanii in honour of Eugene Fitzalan
Occurrence
Grows as an understorey tree in well-developed rainforest, on a variety of sites.
Prefers a moist, protected site in sun/light shade. Young plants need shelter from wind and harsh sun. Needs dry season watering. Prune to keep it at shrub/pot plant size.
Appearance
Small tree (to ~6m) with large, glossy green leaves. Perfumed, white, tubular flowers (Sep-Nov) are followed by large, green fruit that ripen to yellow.
Fruit: eaten by a large range of animals; important food source for Cassowary in the north; edible to humans. Flowers attract birds, butterflies and other insects.
