EPACRIDACEAE

Common Heath

 

0.2m - 1m (20-100cm) 

Red, pink or white tubular 

Papery capsule 

Small shrub 

Break O'Day; Brighton; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar 

Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Heath 

Widespread and very abundant, sea level to 800m 

Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Shady; Windy 

Moderate 

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Sandy; Well-drained 

Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi 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. Post germination development is retarded by nutrients in potting mix so low nutrient (especially Phosphorous) is advised. Bird attracting. Suitable below powerlines. 

When the lower capsule on the stem has opened the capsules higher on the stem are ready for collection.capsule opens by 5 lines, seeds numerous. drops seed on maturity. 

Smoke 

12 months 

 

Difficult to propagate from seed.Smoke treatment recently found to increase germination significantly.Seed is said to germinate better while fresh.Sedlings are very small and difficult to prick-out if not planted in individual tubes. See gen. notes re. nutrients. 

2-3 weeks 

 

 

 

No 

Grown from very small tip cuttings, in Summer, from very healthy stock plants, and placed into individual tubes. This avoids problems in the growing on process due to the very fine root systems.