About
Clavija longifolia is an evergreen tree native to tropical regions, featuring a trunk that can reach heights of approximately 4 meters (13 feet). Its elongated, lanceolate leaves lend a palm-like look to the plant. The tree produces small orange flowers that grow on slender racemes emerging directly from the trunk. These flowers give way to edible fruit, roughly the size of a golf ball, which are bright orange in color.
About the genus
This genus comprises flowering plants indigenous to Tropical America, characterized by robust, shiny dark green leaves and subtle orange-pink blossoms. The flowers can be found on slender, elongated stems or may emerge directly from the bark of the plant.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a moisture-retentive, but well drained compost and a position in full sun or partial shade, in a conservatory, greenhouse, or as a houseplant indoors in the UK
- Pruning
- pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propate by seed
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to red spider mite, scale insects and mealy bug
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free