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Publication #ENH-582

Ochrosia elliptica: Ochrosia1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

Introduction

This large, upright, evergreen shrub or small tree has glossy, leathery leaves and clusters of fragrant, yellow/white flowers from late summer into winter, followed by bright red, two-inch-long, poisonous fruit borne in pairs. The fruit is poisonous. It will make a nice tree for a patio area providing shade with the lower branches removed, or a visual screen of coarse, dense foliage without growing too tall. It is suited for planting beneath power lines due to maximum height of 20 to 25 feet.

Figure 1. 

Middle-aged Ochrosia elliptica: Ochrosia

General Information

Scientific name: Ochrosia elliptica
Pronunciation: oh-KROE-zee-uh ee-LIP-tih-kuh
Common name(s): Ochrosia
Family: Apocynaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: invasive non-native
Uses: deck or patio; screen; container or planter; specimen; espalier; highway median
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Figure 2. 

Range

Description

Height: 20 to 25 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: upright/erect, oval
Crown density: dense
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire, undulate
Leaf shape: obovate, oblong, elliptic (oval)
Leaf venation: brachidodrome, pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen, broadleaf evergreen
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: yellow
Flower characteristics: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: oval
Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches
Fruit covering: fleshy
Fruit color: red
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; not showy; can be trained to one trunk; thorns
Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: green
Current year twig thickness: thick
Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: high

Other

Roots: not a problem
Winter interest: no
Outstanding tree: no
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown
Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Figure 3. 

Foliage

Use and Management

Salt-tolerant Ochrosia grows well close to the ocean in full sun or partial shade on a wide range of soils, including alkaline, and responds well to fertilizing. It is very drought-tolerant but responds well to irrigation and fertilizer. Its dark green, dense foliage makes it ideal for tall screens or at the rear of a shrub border.

Propagation is by scarified seed or cuttings.

Pests

Pest problems include scale and occasionally mites. These can be locally troublesome.

Diseases

No diseases are of major concern.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH-582, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed May 2011. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.