Glochidion zeylanicum Seeds | Ceylon Glochidion
LATIN NAME: Glochidion zeylanicum
COMMON NAME: Ceylon Glochidion
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Ceylon Glochidion (Glochidion zeylanicum) is a small, evergreen tree. Herb steadily grows into a rounded crown, with a mature height of 5-10 metres. Plant it in full sun with deep, fertile ground. Bees find the flowers quickly, and that pollinator traffic is a garden benefit in its own right. These traits together are what have kept the plant in gardens for so long.
Science & Biotechnology
Glochidion zeylanicum sits in the Glochidion group, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. The Ceylon cheesewood has a real and growing place in the research. Modern propagation practice has made this species straightforward to raise by ordinary good methods.
Uses & Benefits
Ceylon Glochidion works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Ecologically, the Ceylon cheesewood is a generous plant of the garden. Its small, round, ribbed fruits feed birds and wildlife, and its neat, evergreen foliage gives a fine, dense cover and a shelter to birds through the year. For a grower, the Ceylon cheesewood is an easy and rewarding shrub, and for a gardener it brings a neat, evergreen, round-fruited shrub to warm garden. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
Glochidion species are tropical shrubs with folk records for skin and digestive remedies in Southeast Asia; they are grown mainly as foliage plants.
Growing from Seed
Ceylon Glochidion is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in full sun. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
The medicinal tradition behind this species, outlined above, is a large part of its interest. It grows as a small, evergreen tree, so its place in the garden is easy to plan. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
Related Reading
More species in the same orbit as Ceylon Glochidion: