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Bursaria spinosa - Cav.

Common Name Christmas Bush, Sweet Bursaria
Family Pittosporaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests and open places, but avoiding arid areas[152], in loamy soils, stony hills and on riverbanks[154], probably at its best near the coast[167].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Bursaria spinosa Christmas Bush, Sweet Bursaria


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bursaria_spinosa_flowers.jpg
Bursaria spinosa Christmas Bush, Sweet Bursaria
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bursaria_spinosa_opened_fruit.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Bursaria spinosa is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Skin

Skin. The leaves contain the coumarin 'aesculin' - this is used in the treatment of lupus by irradiation and as a screen from ultra-violet light in suntan lotions[152].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Weather protection  Wood

Leaves contain the coumarin 'aesculin' which is used in the treatment of lupus by irradiation and as an ultraviolet radiation screen in suntan lotions[152]. Plants can be grown as a hedge in mild climates[167]. Wood - tough, hard, close grained, easily worked. Used for tool handles, cabinet making etc[154].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil in full sun[200]. This species only succeeds outdoors in Britain in the mildest areas of the country[11, 182]. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. They require a warm south or south-west facing wall in Britain, succeeding in areas where frosts are light and short lived[200]. A good bee plant[167], the flowers are sweetly fragrant[219, 245]. Very ornamental[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. It does not require pre-treatment. When large enough to handle, prick the plants out into individual pots. Grow on the young plants for at least the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Consider giving the plants some protection from winter cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[219]. They require a little bottom heat if they are to root well[245].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Christmas Bush, Sweet Bursaria

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Cav.

Botanical References

11154200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

David Felglow   Mon, 5 Apr 1999 21:45:23

Bursaria spinosa is no more a Christmas bush than an orange tree.

wells e. farnsworth   Sun May 29 20:39:26 2005

Bursaria spinoza: Published references concerning this plant

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