Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network
Rainforest Plants of the Brisbane Area
(Queensland, Australia)

Botanical Name: Alchornea ilicifolia (Euphorbiaceae). Alchornea ilicifolia - foliage and fruit - graham Stephens © 2002
Image - Alchornea ilicifolia - foliage and fruit - graham Stephens © 2002

Common Name: Native Holly.
Distribution: Illawarra, Sth NSW to Atherton, Nth Qld.
Habitat: Subtropical and Dry rainforest.
Form: Large shrub up to 5m tall.
Leaves: Leaves are ovoid/rhomboidal, simple, alternate and angled with spines at each angle apex. Leaf texture is rigid and leathery.
Flower: Flowers are small creamish/green axillary racemes, male and female flowers on separate plants from November-December.
Fruit: Fruit is a brown, three lobed capsule splitting to reveal one seed. Ripe September-November or throughout the year.
Garden Use: It is mainly grown for its ornamental foliage. It also has flushes of red new growth throughout the year.
Edible?: No.
Propagation: Propagate from fresh seed and cuttings which strike readily.
Comments: This is an exceptionally hardy plant, though can be slow growing. Useful as an understorey plant in rainforest plantings.

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last updated 30th September, 2002