African Bird'S-Eye Bush

Description

Ochna mossambicensis, or Birdseye Bush, is an evergreen shrub native to Mozambique. The bushy shrub will reach 10 feet (3 m) tall in nature, but its size can be controlled in containers. Leaves are very stiff, obovate to oblanceolate to 9 inches (22.5 cm) long to 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide. They are densely serrulate and rounded at the apex. Bark is light brown and smooth in the younger growth and shallowly furrowed and grayish brown in the older growth. These are interesting plants to grow and make excellent container plants. Plants are hardy in the landscape in USDA zones 10-11.