Elaeodendron australe

Elaeodendron australe is a shrub or small tree that stays green. It belongs to the plant family called Celastraceae. It is native to eastern Australia. Its range includes Queensland and New South Wales. It grows in rainforest, both near the coast and inland. It also grows at the edges of drier rainforest. Some sites reach 3,281 feet [1,000 metres] above sea level. Kew puts it in the subtropical climate zone. Some botanists put it in the genus Cassine. They use the name Cassine australis for this species.

The plant keeps its leaves all year. Useful Tropical Plants lists its height as about 20 feet [6 metres]. Its fuller account gives a top height of 39 feet [12 metres]. The trunk can span 0.7–1 foot [0.2–0.3 metres] across. It grows slowly, and the site can shape its form. Harsh coastal sites can keep it small and shrubby. The source shows male flowers, female flowers, and white fruit. It gives no bloom season. Nor does it describe the leaves in detail.

Most plants bear male flowers or female flowers, not both. Grow both sexes if you want fruit and seed. In the north of its range, some forms have bisexual flowers. These flowers have both male and female parts. The source does not say these forms are self-fertile. Fresh seed is the best choice for starting new plants. Seed tends to sprout with ease, but may take months. Cuttings take a long time to grow roots. These slow steps matter when raising plants for a garden.

The plant grows well on dry sites, even poor ones. It needs soil that drains well. It can also stand harsh conditions near the coast. These can slow growth and keep the plant short. The evidence supports growing it for its looks in gardens. Its year-round leaves and range of forms are its main stated landscape traits. The sources give no frost limits or hardiness zones. They name no specific pests or diseases.

People take wood from wild trees for local use. The wood is hard, with a fine texture and white veins. People use it for cabinets, barrel staves, oars, and roof shingles. In research, material from stem bark has acted against tumours. This does not show that it is safe for home treatment. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known uses as food. It also lists no known hazards. That does not mean it has proved safe.