Hainan Elaeocarpus is a small, flowering, ornamental, evergreen tree or large shrub native to China and Indo-China. It is commonly found in moist, tropical forests near streams or low wetlands. It grows up to 16 feet tall with a wide canopy. When in blossom, the tree's branches are covered with sweetly scented white flowers set against glossy, green leaves. This plant is a member of the Elaeocarpus family (Elaeocarpaceae). The genus name Elaeocarpus is derived from two Greek words: elia, meaning olive, and karpos , meaning fruit. This references the fruits resembling olives. The specific epithet hainanensis means from Hainan, which is a province in South China. Prefers full sun with some afternoon shade and moist to moderately damp, well-drained, acidic soils, but best to avoid clay soils. It easily adapts to riparian areas. Pruning should be done in late winter to early spring to maintain the tree's shape. It is generally hardy in zones 9 to 11. Be sure to protect from wind and frost. The foliage is leathery and lance-shaped. The blooms are clusters of creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers with fringed petals. Flowering occurs in June to July, and spindle-shaped green drupes follow from July to September. Consider for use in an Asian Garden. It is also suitable for bonsai. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect pests or diseases. Monitor for aphids, scale, or mealybugs. Typically, disease-resistant.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Broad; Dense
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Denticulate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are green, simple, alternate, glossy, narrowly lanceolate or oblanceolate, with an acute apex, a cuneate base, and denticulate margins. They measure 2 to 6 inches long and 0.5 to 1.5 inches wide. The upper surface is dark green, smooth with a slightly hairy midvein, and the underside is paler and may be hairy or smooth. The leaves cluster at the stem apex. The petiole is up to 0.5 inches long and smooth.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Fringed cream to white bell-shaped flowers appear during the summer on racemes in groups of 2 to 6 at the leaf axils and have a sweet fragrance. The five-petaled flowers are about 1.5 inches in diameter. The petals are obovate, and the sepals are lanceolate and as long as the petals. The bracts are sessile and ovate. The ovary is ovoid, smooth, with 2 locules. Blooms from June to July
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Blue; Green
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is green and turns blue when ripe. It is woody, smooth, spindle-shaped drupe, measuring up to 2 inches long and 0.5 inches wide. The ends of the fruit are acute, and the interior is hard with 1 locule, covering the 0.75-inch-long seed. Fruits appear from July to September.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is smooth to slightly fissured, grayish-brown.
Used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of stress or hypertension. The flowers produce essential oils that may be used as a moisturizer.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Landscape theme
Asian Garden
Design feature
Flowering Tree; Small Tree
Garden tags
#flowering tree #fringed flowers #evergreen shrub #showy flowers #evergreen tree #cream flowers #white flowers #small tree #glossy leaves #fragrant flowers #evergreen #drought tolerant #green fruits #riparian #summer interest #bonsai #summer flowers #dense #drupes #full sun tolerant #blue fruits #broad