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Scientific Name
Calytrix tetragona
Family Name
MYRTACEAE
Common Name
Fringe Myrtle
Status
Height
0.6m - 1.2m (60-120cm)
Flowers
Showy heads,5 white or pink petals,20 long stamens.
Fruit
Papery capsule
Form
Erect, branched shrub.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Burnie; Clarence; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Hobart; King Island; Kingborough; Launceston; Northern Midlands; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Tamar
Communities
Coastal Vegetation; Heath; Riparian
Habitat Notes
Widespread in wet coastal heaths where it is often dense and wind pruned. Grows along some northern rivers.Likes well-drained soils in full sun or semi-shade but will tolerate periodic inundation.Tolerates extended dry periods.
Site Tolerance
Dry; Exposed; Moist; Shady; Waterlogged; Windy
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Clay; Loam; Poor; Poorly-drained; Sandy; Well-drained
General Notes
Reputedly highly flammable.Useful in providing food for moths, butterflies a nd other insects. The foliage provides good low refuge for small birds. Good front line coastal plant. Suitable below powerlines.
Propagation Details
Propagation Calendar
Flowering Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Collecting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sowing Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cutting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Capsules turn bronze or green and release from plant as mature. has a dry one seeded fruit, with a fine awn-like attachment with fine hairs.because of sharp spines which dislodge easily gloves should be worn when collecting
Seed Treatment Method
Standard
Seed Storage Life
1-2 years
Viable Seeds Per Gram
310
Seed Treatment Notes
Difficult to grow from seed according to Ralph.SGAP - may be propagated from seed or cuttings. Hot smoke has yielded good results. When seed drops naturally it drills into soil with attachment, vertically. If seeds are dropped and allowed to self drill results improve.
Germination Time
6-10 weeks
Suitable for Direct Seeding
Yes
Cuttings
Expected Time to Take Root
Expected Time to Plant Out
Propagation by Division
N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.
Cutting Notes
May be propagated from cuttings.Take cuttings about 3 months after flowering from young growth low down on the plant before it becomes too woody. Small cuttings (4-5cm) do well in a mix that is well-drained and aerated (e.g. 4 parts washed river sand, 4 parts perlite, 1 part peat moss). Strike the cuttings in open shade with low humidity rather than on a hot bed. Timing is important.(Ripe summer cuttings).
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Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith