Family: Boraginaceae
Common name: Fukien tea tree, Carmona, Fukien tea, Wild tea, Scorpion bush, Dwarf fiddlewood, Philippine tea tree, Carmona retusa
Fukien tea tree is a shrub or small tree that is very popular as an ornamental plant due to its dark, green foliage and compact growing nature. They are commonly seen in Southeast Asian countries, growing excellently in warm, tropical weather.
Plant characteristics
Fukien tea trees can grow to a height of 2-3 meters; they can also be cut into desired shapes or trained to grow on supporting structures. Their slender, long stems are brown in color, growing well-branched and bushy.
These characteristics make them excellent hedge or border plants, and also a highlight of the garden when they are cut in desired shapes.
In many landscaped areas including road medians, Fukien tea trees are provided with multi-tiered metal structures which they cover in no time, after which they can be cut into the shape of the structure.
Their evergreen, dark-colored foliage covers the structure, adding height and charm to the landscaping.
The leaves of the Fukien tea tree are small, glossy, leathery, and dark green. They are ovate in shape, about 3-4 cm long, with a smooth margin. These leaves are the highlight of the plant, since they cover the plant thickly.
Fukien tea trees produce small, white, bell-shaped flowers that are 1-2 cm in diameter, though these are not very common or noticeable in garden plants.
The fragrant flowers attract pollinators that help the flowers to produce small, rounded, berry-like fruits that start off green, gradually turning yellow, orange, red, and then purple as they ripen.
Flowers and fruits are quite small and inconspicuous; hence these plants are mostly grown for their ornamental foliage.
Gardening tips
Fukien tea trees prefer good, direct sunlight for most of part of the day. They can tolerate drought and poor soil condtions, though not water logging. These plants do not need watering or fertilization once they are established in the soil.
Pruning can be done to keep the plant compact or to shape them as hedges or even in animal shapes. Providing supporting structures can help the Fukien tea tree grow upwards instead of spreading around horizontally. These plants are resistant to pests, and rarely need pesticide or neem oil sprays.
In short, these are excellent plants for home gardens and landscaped areas, since they need very little care and attention. They can be planted and ignored after a few weeks, or pruned and prepped to grow exactly as you want them to.
Uses of Fukien tea tree
Fukien tea trees are mostly grown as ornamental plants in home gardens and urban landscaped areas. They have recently become a rage among gardeners and landscape artists because of their versatility and low maintenance.
Parts of the plant were used in China and the Philippines to treat ailments like colic, stomach disorders, cough, and snake bites.
Their low-spreading, thick foliage provides shade and shelter for small animals that live below the plant. They are ideal for xeriscaping or low-water gardening, growing well even when they are not watered regularly.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds or stem cuttings.
Since flowers and seeds are not very common, Fukien tea trees are mostly propagated through stem cuttings. Healthy, non-flowering stems can be cut into 8-10 cm long pieces and planted in well-drained soil to develop roots
Photographed at: Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah
