Lantern Tree

Hernandia nymphaeifolia

Native to:
Aldabra, American Samoa, Andaman Is., Australia, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., Chagos Archipelago, Cocos (Keeling) Is., Comoros, Cook Is., Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gilbert Is., Guam, Hainan, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Laccadive Is., Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marshall Is., Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Ogasawara-shoto, Palau, Philippines, Pitcairn Is., Samoa, Santa Cruz Is., Seychelles, Society Is., Solomon Is., South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is.

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Hernandiaceae
Genus:
Hernandia
Species:
Hernandia nymphaeifolia
USDA Symbol:
HENY

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
2000 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
Bloom Colors:
white

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Salt Tolerant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained coastal soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
thrives in coastal and tropical environments