Elaeocarpus is genus of around 300-500 species of trees, shrubs, and vines native to Asia, Australia, and nearby islands. Most are fully tropical but a few can tolerate our winters.
Several species of the genus are culturally important in other regions of the world, particularly India where the bright blue fruits are fashioned into prayer beads. E. serratus is also grown for its edible fruit.
In Sacramento there is only one species that I have seen locally--E. decipiens, usually called the Japanese blueberry tree. This is a medium-sized evergreen tree that is hardy to zone 8 and has several ornamental features, including the blue colored fruit and white flowers that are common to this genus. In addition, old leaves turn red or orange before dropping, though not all at once as in a deciduous tree. This species is new on the scene but is catching on. The individuals I have seen all look healthy but are all in well-maintained and irrigated landscapes. I have heard the trunk can be prone to sunburn, so it's best not to over-prune the low branches on smaller trees. Some varieties are said to be dwarf, but in the wild it can grow to 60 feet. Its mature size in our area remains to be seen.
Several other species have been used in cultivation, particularly species from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. I have not seen any locally, but a few are reportedly growing in the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Since the genus is primarily native to the wet tropics and subtropics, identifying the most drought resistant species may be important for our area.
Several species of the genus are culturally important in other regions of the world, particularly India where the bright blue fruits are fashioned into prayer beads. E. serratus is also grown for its edible fruit.
In Sacramento there is only one species that I have seen locally--E. decipiens, usually called the Japanese blueberry tree. This is a medium-sized evergreen tree that is hardy to zone 8 and has several ornamental features, including the blue colored fruit and white flowers that are common to this genus. In addition, old leaves turn red or orange before dropping, though not all at once as in a deciduous tree. This species is new on the scene but is catching on. The individuals I have seen all look healthy but are all in well-maintained and irrigated landscapes. I have heard the trunk can be prone to sunburn, so it's best not to over-prune the low branches on smaller trees. Some varieties are said to be dwarf, but in the wild it can grow to 60 feet. Its mature size in our area remains to be seen.
Several other species have been used in cultivation, particularly species from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. I have not seen any locally, but a few are reportedly growing in the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Since the genus is primarily native to the wet tropics and subtropics, identifying the most drought resistant species may be important for our area.