Fukien Tea, Fujian Tea – Carmona microphylla

General Landscape Uses: Accent shrub, formal and informal hedge Ecological Restoration Notes: Not recommended Description: A dense, multi-branched evergreen shrub. The leaves are small (0.5–1 inch), dark green, shiny, and have a distinctive wedge shape with 3–5 lobes at the tip. The leaf surface is covered in tiny, stiff hairs, giving it a slightly rough, sandpaper-like texture. Dimensions: Height 6 – 12 ft.; Spread 4 – 8 ft. Growth Rate: Slow to moderate Native Range: Southeast Asia, Southern China, and the Philippines Native Habitats: Scrublands, secondary forests, and coastal thickets. Soils: Well-drained Nutritional Requirements: Moderate Salt Water Tolerance: Low Salt Wind Tolerance: Moderate Drought Tolerance: Moderate Light Requirements: Full to part sun Flower Color: White Flower Characteristics: Tiny, 5-petaled, star-shaped flowers (about 0.25 inches wide) that appear individually or in small clusters. Flowering Season: All year Fruit: Small, globose berries that turn from green to bright red or orange as they ripen. Wildlife and Ecology: The berries are highly attractive to birds, which are the primary distributors of the seeds. The flowers provide nectar for tiny pollinators and bees. Horticultural Notes: Propagated by cuttings, seed Comments: