Bleeding Heart, Queensland Poplar
Homalanthus populifolius

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

Bleeding Heart or Homalanthus populifolius is an evergreen, erect shrub to small tree with an open and spreading crown. It grows up to 12 m tall with a trunk diameter of up to 15 cm. It is commonly found in rainforests in Australia. Its is fast-growing but fairly short-lived. The leaves are triangular and alternate, and turns red when senescent. Flowers are yellow green to red. The fruits are eaten by birds. Bleeding heart is an important pioneer species used in landscape rehabilitation projects. The bark and leaves yield black dye which is used for staining baskets and other similar items.

Homalanthus populifolius is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Lowland and lower montane forest regrowth, secondary forest, well drained or swamp forest, on ridges, riversides, from sea level up to elevations of 1,000 metres.

Australasia - northern Australia to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia; Solomon Islands; Papua New Guinea; Norfolk Island

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Agroforestry Uses: A natural and important pioneer species within its native range, the tree quickly invades cleared land and fresh clearings in the forest. A short-lived tree, it quickly provides the shelter needed to allow the more permanent forest trees to become established, and then dies off to allow those species the necessary space to grow to full size. It is used as a pioneer tree in landscape rehabilitation projects. Other Uses: A black dye is obtained from the bark and leaves. It is used for staining baskets and other items made from rattan and Corypha palms.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Pioneer: Plants, usually trees and shrubs, that can be used to reforest land.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Found in the wild growing on coral rubble, sandy soil and brown loam. Trees are fast-growing, but fairly short-lived. They can be 3 metres tall at the end of their first year from seed. Flowering Time: Mid Spring Late Spring/Early Summer Mid Summer. Bloom Color: Cream/Tan. Spacing: 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m).

Propagating it: Seed - it has a short viability and so needs to be sown as soon as it is ripe. Cuttings root easily.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

Its other names

Local names

Bleeding Heart, Queensland Poplar

Synonyms

Carumbium pallidum Mull.Arg. Carumbium platyneuron Mull.Arg. Carumbium populifolium (Graham) Benth.