Overview

Guettarda speciosa is a plant with a shrub, small tree habit in the genus Guettarda, part of the Rubiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Guettarda speciosa grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include specimen plant and coastal gardens. It is native to Great Chagos Bank, North Brother, Middle Brother, South Brother, Eagle (Île Aigle), Sea Cow Island (Île Vache Marine), Chagos Archipelago, Peros Banhos Atoll, Île Yeye and Île Verte.

About

Guettarda speciosa, known as East Indian zebra wood or Jamaica pigeon wood, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Rubiaceae family. It thrives in full sun with a south-facing, sheltered aspect and prefers well-drained, neutral loam soil. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is suitable for coastal gardens and works well as a specimen plant. Interest is mainly in spring and summer. Cultivation involves planting in a suitable position with watering during establishment, and propagation can be done by seed or semi-ripe cuttings.

About the genus

Guettarda is a plant genus in the family Rubiaceae. Most of these plants are known by the common name velvetseed.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Guettarda

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Guettarda speciosa size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Shrub, small tree

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Specimen plant, coastal gardens

Native to

Great Chagos Bank, North Brother, Middle Brother, South Brother, Eagle (Île Aigle), Sea Cow Island (Île Vache Marine), Chagos Archipelago, Peros Banhos Atoll, Île Yeye, Île Verte

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Guettarda speciosa

Propagation

Seed, semi-ripe cuttings

Pest resistance

Generally pest-resistant

Disease resistance

Generally disease-resistant

Frequently asked questions