Here in the Philippines I have found a few plants that seem similar, but I cannot be sure what they are yet. From the start Antidesma bunius and Antidesma pentadrum are mostly alike though it is said that pentadrum has smaller fruits than bunius.
The main picture here is of a plant that was sold as Bignay. From this picture you can see how large the leaves are. So either the leaves need to be smaller from defoliation, or maybe this is the actual Bignay tree vice the bignay pugo shrub?
It seems the main ways to differentiate Antidesma bunius and Antidesma pentadrum from each other is mainly in size attributes. The bunius is supposed to reah taller heights, so not something helpful when considering bonsai. The bunius is also supposed to have larger fruits that are arranged in long hanging pendat groups. Lastly bunis fruit is supposed to be around 1cm in size while pentadrum is smaller and just 5mm in size, so half. Lastly pentadrum fruit is in smaller clusters instead of elongated hanging fruit bunches.
I am not 100% sure that these pictures are of pentadrum or bunius so please take care when you id your plants. Once I can mature these plants and IF I find some way to better id them I will rename the images appropriately.
Antidesma bunius specifics
- Core Identification & Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Antidesma bunius
- Common Name: Bignay, Queensland Cherry, Chinese Laurel, Salamander tree, Currant Tree
- Family: Phyllanthaceae
- Varietals:
- Habitat/Range: South and Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, Philippines
- Morphology & Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Tree up to 100 feet high, or possibly short and stubby.
- Leaves: Up to 8 inches long and 3 inches wide. Oval shaped and leathery.
- Flowers: Round and about 1 cm
- Fruit/Seed: Beginning white then turning red and then black as they mature and ripen
- Stem/Bark: Rough Texture
- Growth: Fast
- Bonsai Notes
- Sun Exposure: Full sun 6-8 hours daily. This plant can stand the afternoon sun
- Water Use: Rrequires consistent moderate water
- Soil Mix: Limestone (anapog), Akadama, Pumice, Lava Rock
- Fertilizing: balanced fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during the active growing season (spring through autumn)
- Styling and Maintenance
- Pruning: responds well to pruning.
- Defoliation: Partial or full leaf pruning can be used to reduce leaf size, making the tree appear more proportional as a miniature.
- Wiring: Branches can be wired year-round, but monitor the wire closely may scar if the wire “bites” in during periods of fast growth.
Gallery images
First, we are uploading pictures of our plants to show the parts of a plant that may help in identification. Second, we only have so many plants and my photography skills are not actually skillful. Finally, if it would help to see another angle or view, send us a message and we will attempt to get the right picture perspective.
