Communities

Scientific Name

Epacris barbata

Family Name

EPACRIDACEAE

Common Name

Bearded Heath

Status

Endangered

Height

1.2m (120cm)

Flowers

Large white flowers about 1cm in dia.Floral bracts+ sepals tinged red, covered with silky hairs.

Fruit

Papery capsule

Form

A shrub, usually branched near the base with long erect branches.

Municipalities

Glamorgan-Spring Bay

Communities

Coastal Vegetation

Habitat Notes

Tas. endemic. Found only in the vicinity of Freycinet Peninsula.

Site Tolerance

Moist

Frost Tolerance

Soil Tolerance

Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained

General Notes

Seed of some species exhibits a dormancy which is reportedly overcome by storage in a dark place for 3- 6 months. If using bog method seed should be spread over surface of propagation mixture . If the medium is then kept constantly moist, germination should occur within 10-20 weeks. 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

When the lower capsule on the stem has opened the capsules higher are ready for collection. dry until they open then lightly thresh to extract seed. clean by sieving

Seed Treatment Method

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Difficult to grow from seed. Smoke treatment has been found to significantly improve results for species with smaller seeds. Species with woody fruits and larger seeds are not responsive. The bog method and older seed may improve results.* See gen. notes.

Germination Time

10-20 weeks.

Suitable for Direct Seeding

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

Grown from tip cuttings, best taken in March and placed into individual tubes. This avoids problems in the growing on process due to the very fine root systems.