Acmena smithii

Acmena smithii

Common name: Lily Pilli

I grow best: Shrub to tree up to 3m-5m
• Attracts birds, native bees and invertebrate creators
• Flowers spring, summer
• Well drained or sandy soils
• Cultural uses
• Eastern Suburb Banksia Scrub

Looks like:  Acmena smithii is a compact, fast growing shrub to small tree with pink new foliage growth, cream to white flowers and white to dark red or purple berries in summer. It has a naturally dense growth habitat which responds beautifully to pruning, making it a great hedge and topiary plant. It grows around 3 to 5 metres, depending on the variety. It is generally a good easy care plant. Tolerates a wide range of soils, but prefers a moist well drained soil. Does well in sunny to fully shaded positions. Rarely troubled by pests or diseases, and is generally resistant to psyllids, though aphids and sooty mould can become a problem at times.

Habitat & Distribution: It is common in the bushland surrounding Sydney and occurs from southern Queensland down the East coast into Tasmania.

Distribution:

Traditional uses: Fruit can be eaten straight from the tree and they are sweet and juicy. This fruit features widely in traditional Aboriginal medicine, used as a treatment for sore ears, wounds and skin conditions, and generally consumed as an immune system booster with high levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium and potassium.