Communities

Scientific Name

Epacris stuartii

Family Name

EPACRIDACEAE

Common Name

Stuart's Heath

Status

Endangered

Height

0.4m (40cm)

Flowers

Fruit

Papery capsule

Form

Small shrub, leaves very shortly stalked, blades flat, rounded, entire margin, lower surface 1-3 ribbed.

Municipalities

Huon Valley

Communities

Coastal Vegetation; Heath

Habitat Notes

Tas. endemic. Known only from type material collected at Southport in the south. Found on top of steep seaward slope in shallow loam on dolerite.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Soil Tolerance

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; 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

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

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.