James Burghardt
Family
Loranthaceae
Botanical Name
NUYTSIA floribunda
Plant Common Name
Australian Fire Tree, Australian Flame Tree, West Australian Christmas Tree
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Eluding cultivation because of its need for a host to grown on, the West Australian Christmas tree dazzles in its native habitat with an intense, golden orange flower display. In its natural range across extreme southwestern Western Australia, the blooming season coincides with the approach of Christmas, in late spring and very early summer. A distant relative to mistletoe, this evergreen tree attaches some of its roots onto the roots of any array of other plant species nearby for moisture and nutrient support. This parasite and host relationship prevents the widespread use of West Australian Christmas tree in cultivation. Although seeds may sprout in a nursery setting, seedlings wither away if there's no host plant -- woody shrub, tree or herbaceous perennial or grass -- to parasitize.
Growing slowly with a smooth, fissured gray-brown bark, it occasionally looks charcoal black because of seasonal bushfires in the wild. Fire may also kill back lower branches or those on the windward side of the moving flames. If never nipped by fire, the canopy is billowy and an upright oval. West Australian Christmas tree's evergreen leaves are bright green to gray-green and needle-like, or much like narrow willow leaves. After the cool, wet winter, the heat of late spring and the drying soil triggers a profuse display of mop-like but pompom-like clusters of tiny orange to gold flowers. Each blossom has six thin, golden yellow petals with a cluster of long orange stamens that attract a wide array of insects for pollination. Ensuing seed pods are globular with three papery keels or fins. Branched flower clusters may occur off and on into early or midsummer.
West Australian Christmas tree grows in acidic to neutral pH soil that is sandy or loam. The soil must be well-drained. A full sun exposure ensures a uniform canopy and abundant flowering. Keep the tree dry except in winter; it needs a long warm or hot summer season. Preserve this tree if naturally growing in an Australian landscape. Although horticulturists are continuing research, successfully propagating this plant remains difficult, preventing large-scale nursery production in containers.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 11
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Sunset Zone
13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
12'-30' / 3.7m - 9.1m
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Width
6'-12' / 1.8m - 3.7m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Australia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Orange, Gold
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Fruit Color
Light Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Bark Color
Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Fissured
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Usage
Feature Plant
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
