MYRTACEAE

Fringe Myrtle

 

0.6m - 1.2m (60-120cm) 

Showy heads,5 white or pink petals,20 long stamens. 

Papery capsule 

Erect, branched shrub. 

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 

Coastal Vegetation; Heath; Riparian 

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. 

Dry; Exposed; Moist; Shady; Waterlogged; Windy 

Hardy 

Clay; Loam; Poor; Poorly-drained; Sandy; Well-drained 

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. 

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 

Standard 

1-2 years 

310 

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. 

6-10 weeks 

Yes 

 

 

 

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).