Communities

Scientific Name

Epacris heteronema

Family Name

EPACRIDACEAE

Common Name

Western Tasmanian Heath

Status

Height

6.0m (600cm)

Flowers

White, tubular, anthers scarcely reaching top of tube, in leafy heads at ends of branches.

Fruit

Capsule

Form

Stout, much-branched shrub sometimes (on w.coast) a small tree.

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; Northern Midlands; West Coast

Communities

Heath

Habitat Notes

Locally abundant in wet heaths in the west and southwest.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Waterlogged; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Poorly-drained; 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. Not 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 on the stem are ready for collection

Seed Treatment Method

Bog 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.