EPACRIDACEAE

Straggling Heath

 

0.1m - 0.4m (10-40cm) long 

Narrow, white, tubular with brown, shining bracts and sepals. In corymbs on short stalks . 

Capsule 

Small shrub with spreading branches. 

Burnie; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; Kentish; Meander Valley; West Coast 

Coastal Vegetation; Heath 

Local in wet peaty heaths near the west and south west coasts and in the Rasselas Valley. 

Exposed; Moist; Waterlogged; Windy 

Hardy 

Clay; Poor; Poorly-drained; Peaty 

Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Outstanding dwarf species. Requires moist, light to medium soils, rich in organic matter and prefers dapples shade. A good container plant.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. 

When the lower capsule on the stem has opened the capsules higher on the stem are ready for collection 

Bog method 

 

 

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. 

10-20 weeks 

No 

 

 

No 

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.