Alyxia ruscifolia, Chain Fruit

Alyxia ruscifolia, Chain fruit

This native shrub which grows to about 2 metres has sweetly scented flowers followed by curious orange seed pods which are often attached to each other like a string of beads, The other common name is native holly because of the glossy sharp pointed leaves.

Although it is a rainforest shrub, it is able to be grown in a full sun position which encourages it to become more dense and compact in form. Otherwise if grown in full shade it would be better planted in a group of 3 or 5 so as to form a nice thicket and thus have more impact when in flower or fruit. Seed germinates readily around the base of the parent plant but does nothing until transplanted to more favourable sites.

2017 update: I don't have any stock at present. It is very slow growing in pots.