| Blueberry ash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Elaeocarpus reticulatus flowers and fruit | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Oxalidales |
| Family: | Elaeocarpaceae |
| Genus: | Elaeocarpus |
| Species: | E. reticulatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Elaeocarpus reticulatus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Elaeocarpus reticulatus, commonly known asblueberry ash,ash quandong,blue olive berry,fairy petticoats,fringe tree,koda,lily of the valley tree andscrub ash,[2] is species of flowering plant in the familyElaeocarpaceae, and isendemic to eastern Australia. It is a shrub or small tree with oblong to elliptic leaves,racemes of white or pink flowers and blue, oval to spherical fruit.
Elaeocarpus reticulatus is a shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of 3–10 m (9.8–32.8 ft), but up to 30 m (98 ft) in some situations, and has alignotuber at its base. The leaves are simple, (strictlycompound with only one leaflet), oblong to elliptic, mostly 50–130 mm (2.0–5.1 in) long and 10–40 mm (0.39–1.57 in) wide on apetiole 5–20 mm (0.20–0.79 in) long. The leaves are more or lessglabrous, often turn red before falling, have regular teeth along the edges, smalldomatia and a prominent network of veins on both surfaces. The flowers are arranged in racemes up to 50–80 mm (2.0–3.1 in) long, with between five and ten flowers, each on apedicel 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long. The five sepals are narrow triangular 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and about 1 mm (0.039 in) wide. The five petals are white, sometimes pinkish, 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and about 2 mm (0.079 in) wide, the tip with between seven and ten linear lobes. There are between thirteen and fifteenstamens and the style is 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long. Flowering occurs from October to January and the fruit is a more or less spherical, oval or elliptical bluedrupe about 12 mm (0.47 in) long.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Elaeocarpus reticulatus was first formally described in 1809 byJames Edward Smith inAbraham Rees'sThe Cyclopaedia from specimens collected nearPort Jackson byJohn White.[8][9] Thespecific epithet (reticulatus) means "with the appearance of a net".[10]
Blueberry ash often grows in tall eucalypt forest, in or near rainforest, often in moist gullies, but also found on stony ridges. It occurs along the east coast of Australia fromFraser Island in Queensland toFlinders Island in Tasmania. In New South Wales it is found from sea level to the ranges and in Victoria to the east ofWilsons Promontory where it is often locally common.[2][3][6][7]
The fruits ofE. reticulatus are eaten by birds, includingwonga pigeons,crimson rosellas,figbirds,white-headed pigeons andolive-backed orioles and theregent bowerbird collects them to decorate its bower.[11]
Blue berry ash is described as "an outstanding specimen tree for coastal gardens". Propagation of the plant can be achieved from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in warmer weather, but germination from seed can take several years. The shrub is hardy in most situations and can be grown in shade to full sun.[11][12]
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