Common Name: Sweet Bursaria
Botanical Name: Bursaria spinosa
Family: PITTOSPORACEAE
Description:
Erect, medium shrub to small tree, usually 2-3 m high but taller in favourable conditions, occurring with or without spines. Crowded, glabrous, green above, paler green below, with blunt or notched tip, 1-4 cm long by 3-15 mm wide. White, abundant, fragrant, 5-petalled flower, in terminal pyramid-shaped clusters at the top of erect branchlets. Late spring to summer (November to February). Brown, flat, thin, dry capsules, 5-10 mm long, in dense terminal clusters. When mature, capsules split open to dislodge tan-coloured seeds. Late summer to autumn (February to March).
Erect, medium shrub to small tree, usually 2-3 m high but taller in favourable conditions, occurring with or without spines. Crowded, glabrous, green above, paler green below, with blunt or notched tip, 1-4 cm long by 3-15 mm wide. White, abundant, fragrant, 5-petalled flower, in terminal pyramid-shaped clusters at the top of erect branchlets. Late spring to summer (November to February). Brown, flat, thin, dry capsules, 5-10 mm long, in dense terminal clusters. When mature, capsules split open to dislodge tan-coloured seeds. Late summer to autumn (February to March).
Natural Distribution:
Widely distributed in all agricultural districts of SA. Extends into most other States and Territories (absent from NT). Common to woodland and mallee areas.
Widely distributed in all agricultural districts of SA. Extends into most other States and Territories (absent from NT). Common to woodland and mallee areas.
Notes:
The genus name Bursaria and species name spinosa are derived from the Latin 'bursa' (a pouch) and 'spinosum' (prickly), referring to the pouch-like fruit and spines present on some varieties. It attracts many insects due to its scented flowers.
The genus name Bursaria and species name spinosa are derived from the Latin 'bursa' (a pouch) and 'spinosum' (prickly), referring to the pouch-like fruit and spines present on some varieties. It attracts many insects due to its scented flowers.
