Graptophyllum ilicifolium

Norm McCarthy

	Graptophyllum ilicifolium Photo: Keith Townsend

Family: Acanthaciae

Commonly known as the 'Prickly Fuchsia', this shrub of 3 - 4.5 metres is one of the four endemic species of Graptophyllum which are all found in Queensland. This plant occurs in sub-tropical to tropical conditions and is quite different from the other species.

Graptophyllum ilicifolium's natural habitat is from Mackay to Rockhampton, and is often found in dry rainforest, in rocky areas or along dry creek banks. Seemingly it prefers excellent drainage and part shade for best results but will accept full sun. Being a hardy shrub, I'm sure it is most versatile and would be happy to grow in a wider spectrum of general garden conditions.

Prickly fuchsia starts slowly at first, but soon makes up for lost time once established. Foliage is perhaps stiff, upright and medium dense with prickly leaves. Leaves are alternate, mid to dark green with toothed margins and can be 3.5 x 5.5 cm long on short stems. Flowers are large tubular and attractively scarlet red, occurring terminally in clusters, or on axillary branches (a rare and beautiful sight). Each tubular flower has a short pedical with axillary leaves of 1 cm subtend the base of each floret. Flowers are five-lobed with two fused together. Two stamens are produced within the corolla and fruit is about 2cm long. Flowers are attractive to nectar feeding birds and may occur from August to November.

The plant may be propagated from seed or cuttings. It apparently has no problems with insects or otherwise. (Ed. This plant self seeds in my western Sydney garden but is never a pest).

From 'Native Plants for New South Wales', the newsletter of the Australian Plants Society (NSW), January 2008.

Australian Plants online - 2008
Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants