What is Ceratopetalum?

Ceratopetalum are a type of shrub or tree within the magnoliopsida class, oxalidales order, and cunoniaceae family. Both shrubs and trees can be found within this genus. Some of the various species of this genus include ceratopetalum corymbosum, ceratopetalum hylandii, ceratopetalum tetrapterum, and ceratopetalum iugumensis.

All plants in this genus are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea, particularly along the eastern coast. Fossils of some ceratopetalum species indicate that this genus has existed for as long as 50 million years. Among the fossils found were ceratopetalum westermannii and ceratopetalum maslinensis.

The New South Wales Christmas Bush, or ceratopetalum gummiferum, is one of the most well known species of ceratopetalum. This shrub produces brilliant scarlet blossoms during the Christmas season, around the end of December, thus earning it the moniker of “Christmas Bush.” This evergreen shrub has small leaves with serrated edges. The flowers that put on such an eye-catching display for the holidays begin as white blooms several months earlier.

The New South Wales Christmas Bush typically grows to a height of 6 to 13 feet (2 to 4 meters). In the wild, it grows on sandstone hills or in light forests. It thrives with moist soil and will grow larger when well watered.

Ceratopetalum apetalum is another well known species. This tree is more commonly known as coachwood. It is a hardwood plant with smooth, lightly ridged bark. The horizontal stripes in varying shades of grayish brown running up the length of the tree give it a distinctive appearance.

The interior of the tree has a pinkish hue and a distinctly sweet scent. The even grain of this wood makes it ideal for a variety of projects. Coachwood timber can be used for furniture, cabinetry, and flooring, as well as a variety of other projects.

Aside from these two species of ceratopetalum, this genus is not well known. Only the New South Wales Christmas Bush is widely cultivated in gardens. The other trees and shrubs of this genus exist quietly along the damp forests of Australia’s eastern coast line.