Ceratopetalum gummiferum(New South wales christmas bush, "Kurisumasubusshu")
Japanese name: クリスマスブッシュ Scientific name:Ceratopetalum gummiferum
[Overview]
An evergreen tree about 10 m tall.
It branches well, and mature trees have a pyramidal shape.
The leaves are opposite, trifoliate, about 7 cm long, with oblong leaflets that have fine teeth on the margins.
The flowers are borne in large numbers in racemes at the branch tips; they are white, 5-petaled, and about 1 cm across.
There are 10 stamens, longer than the petals.
After flowering the calyx enlarges and turns red, becoming very conspicuous.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
In winter, bring it indoors to a sunny spot.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
Take care not to let it become too wet; water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
In spring, apply slow-release chemical fertilizer placed on the soil.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
