Alexandrian Laurel
Calophyllum inophyllum
- Native to:
- Aldabra, Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., Chagos Archipelago, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Comoros, Cook Is., Fiji, Gilbert Is., Hainan, India, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marshall Is., Mauritius, Mozambique, Mozambique Channel Is., Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niue, Ogasawara-shoto, Palau, Philippines, Réunion, Rodrigues, Samoa, Santa Cruz Is., Seychelles, Solomon Is., South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is.
Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Calophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Calophyllum
- Species:
- Calophyllum inophyllum
- USDA Symbol:
- CAIN4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bats
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal and riverine environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Large seeds germinate readily when fresh. Seeds lose viability quickly if allowed to dry out. Plant seeds soon after collection.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked in water overnight to soften the outer skin. The outer skin is then removed, exposing the seed shell. Cracking the shell with a mallet or hammer hastens germination. No pretreatment is necessary, but it is recommended for uniform germination time.
Establishment: Flowering can occur throughout the year, however in most regions there are two distinct flowering periods, late sprint/early summer and late fall. The fruit is 2-4 cm in diameter and contains a single seed. The fruits are ripe when flesh is yellow or brown and wrinkled (not green and smooth). Fruits may be collected from the ground as late as a few weeks after maturing and dropping and still maintain viability.
Source: npn.rngr.net