Melicope elleryana

Scientific name: Melicope elleryana

Author: (F.Muell.) T.G. Hartley

Common name: Pink Flowered Doughwood

Family: Rutaceae

Location

In Bed 17, on the Terrace Garden.

This attractive small to medium sized tree occurs in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and is widely distributed in Australia, extending across the tropics and along the east coast as far south as the Clarence River in north-eastern New South Wales. It commonly grows in moist rainforest, especially along streams.

The pink flowers are very pretty and will attract birds and a host of insects to your garden. They are particularly attractive to butterflies. In Bed 17 on the Terrace Garden, up to nine species of butterfly have been seen feeding on the flowers at the same time. In tropical Queensland these trees are frequently planted to attract the magnificent Ulysses Butterfly whose lavae feed on the leaves.

This fast growing tree needs well-drained soils, responds to fertilisers and watering during dry periods, tolerates mild to moderate frosts but appreciates protection from winds.