Randia aculeata
Randia aculeata
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
A plant of the lowland tropics and subtropics, where it grows at elevations from sea level to more than 600 metres. It inhabits areas that receive a mean annual rainfall from about 700 - 2,200mm[1]. Established plants can tolerate some frost[2]. Grows best in an open position with full sun or light shade[1]. Succeeds in most types of soils, including excessively drained and well drained, but not in poorly drained soils[1]. Tolerant of low levels of salt in the soil[2]. Plants are very resistant to the wind and can withstand hurricanes[1]. Established plants are drought tolerant[1]. A slow-growing plant[1]. The tree is often decorated and used as a Christmas tree[3]. The plant can flower and produce green fruits almost all year round[3].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. It tests, seed sown in containers had a 25% germination rate within 46 - 168 days of sowing[1]. It can take 12 months or more before the seedlings are ready to plant out[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Randia+aculeata>
Pollinators
Butterflies
References
- [1]Wildland Shrubs of the United States and its Territories: Thamnic Descriptions — Francis J.K. (Editor) · USDA; Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestr · 2000 · http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/wildland_shrubs.htm ↩︎An excellent series of papers, in PDF format, from various authors giving quite detailed information on a range of shrubs growing in the United States and its Territories. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
- [2]Trade Winds Fruit — http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm ↩︎The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
- [3]Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands — Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. · USDA, Forest Service; Washington. · 1964 ↩︎Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.