Puneet Varma (Editor)

Breynia oblongifolia

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Kingdom
  
Tribe
  
Phyllantheae

Genus
  
Rank
  
Species

Family
  
Subtribe
  
Flueggeinae

Scientific name
  
Breynia oblongifolia

Order
  
Breynia oblongifolia Breynia oblongifolia Coffee Bush Family Phyllanthaceae Flickr

Similar
  
Breynia, Glochidion ferdinandi, Notelaea longifolia, Pittosporum revolutum, Dodonaea triquetra

Breynia oblongifolia, commonly known as coffee bush, grows naturally in Australia and New Guinea as shrubs up to 3 m (10 ft) in height. The species produces alternate, ovate leaves 20–30 mm (0.8–1.2 in) long. Small, green flowers are produced in spring and summer, and these are followed by orange or pink berries about 6 mm (0.24 in) diameter that turn black when fully ripe.

Breynia oblongifolia Breynia oblongifolia coffee bush Diversity Native Seeds

The species tolerates wide variety of environments, and is found in coastal tropical rainforests in North Queensland and New Guinea through to cool Eucalypt woodlands in south–eastern New South Wales to arid Acacia woodlands in Western Queensland. This plant proliferates in disturbed areas and can recolonise cleared sites and can pop up occasionally in undisturbed gardens, the species will spread at the expense of fire-dependent species if fire is withdrawn from an ecosystem used to being burnt. This plant supports many different animals that feed on leaves, berries and flowers.

Breynia oblongifolia httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

This native shrub may be confused with Senna species which are found in similar habitats, but Senna has opposite leaves (leaflets facing each other in pairs) unlike the alternate leaves of B. oblongifolia, and Senna produces conspicuous yellow flowers followed by leguminous pods in contrast to the inconspicuous flowers and red berries of B. oblongifolia.

Breynia oblongifolia Breynia oblongifolia EUPHORBIACEAE Coffee Bush
Breynia oblongifolia Breynia oblongifolia

Breynia oblongifolia Breynia oblongifolia EUPHORBIACEAE Coffee Bush

References

Breynia oblongifolia Wikipedia