Bischofia javanica aka Bishopwood

Bischofia javanica has two common names: bishopwood and Java cedar. It is part of the Phyllanthaceae family. Its native range spans tropical and subtropical Asia to the Pacific. It grows in dry and wet forests, swamps, and open ground. It also grows on riverbanks and in shaded ravines. Sources differ on how long it keeps its leaves. They call it evergreen, partly evergreen, or deciduous.

This tree grows fast and forms a dense, round crown. Grown in gardens, it reaches 30–50 feet [9.14–15.24 metres] tall. Its spread reaches 25–35 feet [7.62–10.67 metres]. Larger trees can reach 75 feet [22.86 metres]. Reports from the tropics give heights up to 164 feet [50 metres]. The thick trunk has large branches, often low down. Gray or brown bark forms narrow cracks and plates with age. Cut or hurt stems give off milky sap. The leaves grow in turn along the stems. Each pinnate leaf has three leaflets with fine teeth. Their shiny tops are green or bronze-green. The lower sides are paler.

Small greenish-yellow flowers hang in branched groups called panicles. In Florida, they bloom in early fall. Female trees bear heavy groups of round, fleshy fruit. Each berry-like fruit, called a schizocarp, spans about one-quarter to one-half inch. Reports give fruit colors as brown-orange, reddish, and blue-black. Fallen fruit can stain paths and leave litter. Young trees do not show their sex. This makes it hard to tell which will bear fruit.

Bishopwood grows in full sun or part shade. It suits USDA zones 10A–11. It grows in sand, loam, and clay. It accepts both acid and alkaline soils. It copes with wet ground and sites that drain well. It has moderate tolerance of drought and salt in the air. Young plants need ample water. Growers can use seeds or stem cuttings to raise it. Its crown casts deep shade, but grass struggles beneath it. People plant it for shade, timber, and to restore forests. The bark yields dyes and tannin to treat ropes and nets.

Roots and seedlings can cause garden problems that last. Roots at the surface hinder mowing and may lift nearby paving. Seeds sprout with ease. Florida guidance says to prevent escape and advises against planting it. Branches can break, so pruning must build a strong framework. Scale insects can cause great harm, followed by sooty mold. Root rot is a concern too. People eat young leaves raw or cooked as a vegetable. Sources also list seeds and fruit as edible. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards. This does not show that the tree is safe for pets. It also lists bark, leaves, and shoots in traditional medicine.