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Lagunaria patersonii

Cow Itch Tree

Plant photo of: Lagunaria patersonii
Information by: Images and Info by Peter Shaw        Photographer:

 

Description

The cow itch tree is an evergreen tree growing to 30 feet tall by 20 wide. Native to Norfolk Island. Grows as an upright to rounded tree. Leaves are evergreen, simple, oval, dark green above, light gray below, about 2" long. Flowers are 1" across, hibiscus like (which means the stamens are fused into a column surrounding the stigma) pink to rose color, fading to white, produced in the summer. Fruit is a brown capsule. when open they contain very fine hairs that causing itching. Doubt they cause cows to itch.

 

Plant Type

Tree

Height Range

12-25', 25-40'

Flower Color

Pink

Flower Season

Summer

Leaf Color

Dark Green

Bark Color

Brown

Fruit Color

Brown

Fruit Season

Spring

Sun

Full

Water

Low

Growth Rate

Fast

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

Soil Condition

Average

Soil pH

Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Tropical, Water Garden, Wild Garden

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Specimen

Seasonal Interest

Summer

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Lawn, Parking Lot

Special Uses

Screen, Wind Break

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Water Saving Tip:

Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.

Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.