Ochna is an ornamental shrub. Ochna tress are native to tropical woodlands of Africa and Asia. They are usually called Ochnas or Mickey-mouse plant.

 

Ochnas grow to a height of 3.3 m tall. They are bushy, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree, with copiously denticulate twigs and branches.

 

The Ochna leaves are up to 5 cm long, narrow and glossy with serrated margins. New growth usually has a bronze tinge. Ochna flowers are bright yellow with five petals.

These petals fall off, leaving five sepals which turn scarlet red when the fruits appear. The fruits are initially green, turning glossy black in summer.

 

Ochna plants have a very long taproot. Often at soil level or just below, the stem will have a kink in it which snaps easily when pulled. The taproot is usually twice the length or more of the above ground stem and contains loads of energy to resprout which it does 9 times out of 10 when cut or broken off.

 

Ochna tree is susceptible to spider mites. Ochna is very resistant to herbicides, and re-sprouts vigorously if it is damaged. Seedlings may be dug out. Hand-pulling is likely to leave the taproot behind to re-grow, though small plants in moist soil can be pulled readily enough.

 

The plant is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant for its yellow flowers an unusual fruits. It is seen in gardens as specimen plants or as hedges in residential and urban areas. It is particularly popular and widely planted and naturalized in a few lowland residential areas. It has been widely planted in Australian gardens for its strikingly attractive flowers. Ochna is easily dispersed to new areas when birds eat the fruits and spread the seeds.

 

Did you know?

·        Ochna comprise of 86 species of evergreen trees.

·        The species- Ochna serrulata, is cultivated in Hawai'i for its colorful flowers and unusual fruits.

·        The name of this genus comes from Greek Ochne, a word used by Homer and meaning wild pear.