Bucida buceras 'Variegated' (Dwarf Variegated Geometry Tree)


  • TropPlant Accession Number (TPAN): 0083
  • Botanical Name: Bucida buceras 'Variegated'
  • Common Name: Dwarf Variegated Geometry Tree, Variegated Madagascar Almond, Spiny Black Olive, Oxhorn Bucida
  • Cultivar: 'Variegata'
  • Family: Combretaceae
  • Native To: Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean, and Northern South America
Bucida beceras 'Variegata' growing in a Malaysian neighborhood parkway

Landscaping Information

    • Plant Type: Broadleaf Evergreen Tree
    • Texture: Fine, Open
    • Form: Upright-Narrow to Spreading, somewhat Irregular
    • Height (on average, in landscape use): 5'-8' (As a house plant), 30'-60' (Outdoors)
    • Height to Spread Ratio: 1:1 to 2:1
    • Growth Rate: Fast
    • Landscape Values: Accent, Street Tree, Color, Framing, Indoor, Lanai, Patio, Sculptural Form, Specimen, Windbreak, Erosion Control, Shade
    • Outstanding Quality: Foliage Color, Variegation, Form/Silhouette, Foliage Characters
    Bucida buceras 'Variegata' in a pot
    Photo by John Nichols

    Bucida buceras 'Variegata' in a pot
    Photo by John Nichols

    Botanical Descriptions

    • Flowers: Inconspicuous, small yellow, bisexual flowers
    • Fruits: Small drupe, brown, inedible, arranged in clusters
    • Foliage Color: Young/immature: Bronze-Reddish. Mature: Yellow-Green, White, Cream, variegated. 
    • Foliage Tip: Rounded to Obtuse
    • Foliage Base: Cuneate
    • Petiole: no petiole (sessile)
    • Stipules: N/A
    • Margins: Undulate
    • Leaf Arrangement: Whorled
    • Leaf Shape: Spathulate
    • Leaf Type: Simple
    • Leaf Texture: Smooth, glossy, thin
    • Leaf Special Notes: The irregular cream to white leaf margins add color making it an attractive accent plant.
    • Bark and Trunk: Smooth Mottled gray. Brown lenticels

    Horticultural Information

      • Light Preference: Full Sun
      • Light Tolerances: Semi-Sun
      • Soil Preferences: Loam, Sand, Well-Drained.
      • Tolerances: Salt Air, Strong Winds, Humidity, Drought.
      • Water Requirements: Prefers moderate watering with well draining soil. 
      • Notes on Maintenance: Low maintenance; green shoots may emerge as the variegated plant reverts, simply cut these reversions. Drought Tolerant once established. Susceptible to  sooty mold and bark borer. Very hard wood is durable and termite resistant. 
      • Propagation: Stem Cutting
      • Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone: 10a
      • Weed Risk Assessment Score (WRA): -3, Low Risk

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