India-hawthorn

Rhaphiolepis indica, known as India-hawthorn or Indian hawthorn, is an evergreen shrub in the Rosaceae family, native to southern China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand despite its misleading common and scientific names. It typically grows as a compact, dense, rounded shrub 1 to 2 metres tall with stiff, ascending branches. The alternate, leathery leaves are obovate to elliptic, 4 to 8 centimetres long, dark glossy green above and paler beneath, with serrated margins toward the apex and a wedge-shaped base. New growth often emerges bronze-tinged. The inflorescences are terminal panicles of fragrant flowers, each about 1 to 1.5 centimetres across, with five spreading petals that are white to pale pink, often deepening at the centre, surrounding numerous stamens with pinkish anthers. Flowering occurs in spring. The fruits are small, globose, blue-black to purplish pomes about 7 to 10 millimetres in diameter, ripening in autumn and persisting through winter, providing food for birds.