Hairy Bird's eye (Alectryon tomentosus)
Although in the same family as the previously featured Beach Bird’s Eye which is a tough, low-growing coastal plant adapted to sand, salt and wind, the Hairy Bird’s Eye prefers a dry and subtropical rainforest environment.
Where to spot it
Found north of the Hunter Valley, the Hairy Bird’s eye is locally quite common in gullies such as those at Bago Bluff National Park near Wauchope. A particularly attractive planted specimen can also be seen on Bangalay Drive at the edge of Rushcutter Reserve in Port Macquarie.
Hairy Bird’s Eye is an ornamental rainforest tree growing to around 15 m tall, with distinctive hairy green pinnate foliage, each leaf made up of multiple leaflets arranged along a central axis.
Distinctive fruit
New growth emerges in soft pinky-brown tones, adding seasonal interest. In late spring, the tree produces small creamy pink to reddish flowers, followed by distinctive fruit, brown, hairy capsules that split to reveal shiny black seeds between February and August.
Hairy Bird’s Eye prefers well-drained soil in sun or part shade and can be fast growing in moist, fertile conditions, forming a bushy small tree in more open settings
Hairy Bird's Eye versus Beach Bird's Eye
Hairy Bird’s Eye fills a very different role in the garden compared to its coastal namesake. Where the Beach Bird’s Eye excels as a tough, spreading groundcover for exposed coastal sites, the Hairy Bird’s Eye is:
- Ideal for shade or part-shade plantings
- Suited to rainforest-style or native mixed gardens
- Adds structure and height, rather than groundcover
Hairy Bird’s Eye is a rewarding local species that combines ornamental appeal with ecological value. Its adaptability to cultivated conditions and attractive growth habit make it a great choice for gardeners looking to introduce a piece of local rainforest character into their landscape.
Hairy Bird’s Eye is currently available for purchase at Port Macquarie Landcare nursery.
