About Atractocarpus chartaceus (F.Muell.) Puttock
Atractocarpus chartaceus (common name narrow-leaved gardenia) is an understory shrub or small tree that reaches up to 6 m (20 ft) tall and up to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) in stem diameter when grown in ideal conditions. Its trunk is crooked and asymmetrical at the base, with brownish grey bark that is relatively smooth, marked by occasional wrinkles and horizontal cracks. Fawn hairs cover the tips of the species' branchlets. Mature leaves are dark green and hairless on the upper surface, and dull grey-green on the lower surface. Leaf arrangement varies: leaves may be opposite and decussate, or grow in whorls of 3 or 4. Juvenile leaves are very long and narrow, measuring up to 25 cm by 1 cm (9.8 by 0.4 in), while mature leaves are broadly oblanceolate and reach up to 15.5 cm by 5 cm (6.1 by 2.0 in). Leaves have 8 to 11 pairs of secondary veins (veins branching off the midrib), which are quite prominent on both leaf surfaces, and are often marked by leaf miner trails. This species is dioecious, with female and male flowers produced on separate individual plants. Inflorescences grow either at the tip of the shoot or in the leaf axil, and hold 1 to 3 flowers. Individual flowers are radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), with 5 or 6 sepals and petals, and are quite fragrant. Flowering occurs from August to October. Botanically, the fruit is a berry, measuring 15 to 30 mm (0.6 to 1 in) long and 7 to 18 mm (0.3 to 0.7 in) in diameter. Fruits are orange or red, covered in fine hairs, and retain the remains of the calyx tube at their distal end. The fruit contains sweet edible pulp with several 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 in) seeds embedded in it, and ripens from April to August. The natural range of this species is coastal subtropical forests of eastern Australia, extending from the Richmond River, New South Wales (around 29°S) north to Gladstone, Queensland (around 23°S). A small, highly disjunct population is also found in Eungella National Park west of Mackay (around 21°S), around 370 km (230 mi) further north. Puttock suggests this disjunction comes from a lack of observations and collections rather than the plant being naturally absent from the intervening area. Atractocarpus chartaceus most often grows on basaltic and alluvial soils in areas with annual rainfall between 1,300 and 1,600 mm (51 and 63 in). Ecologically, this species acts as a host plant for leaf mining larvae of the moth genus Gracillariidae. Atractocarpus chartaceus has been grown in cultivation in Australia for many years. It is valued as an attractive garden ornamental for its glossy foliage, scented flowers and colourful fruit, and its flowers attract many species of birds and insects to gardens. It grows best in shady positions with good drainage. It can be propagated from fresh seed, which usually germinates successfully though may take a few months, or from cuttings taken from the current season's growth.
