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Scientific Name
Leptospermum riparium
Family Name
MYRTACEAE
Common Name
Riverine Tea-tree
Status
Height
3.0m - 4.0m (300-400cm)
Flowers
Prolific, large, white with 5 round petals. At the base of the petals is a ring of short stamens.
Fruit
Woody capsule
Form
Upright, dense well-formed shrub.
Municipalities
Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; King Island; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast
Communities
Rainforest; Riparian
Habitat Notes
Tas. endemic. Only known from a few rivers near the west coast (including the Arthur River) and the Huon River in the south east. Restricted to river edges in areas of rainforest.
Site Tolerance
Exposed; Moist; Shady
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Fertile; Loam; Poorly-drained; Well-drained
General Notes
Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. Despite its natural habitat being riparian, in the garden it copes well wih dry conditions. Withstands winter wet, summer dry, low lying position or occasional inundation. Could be used as a hedge and highly recommended for general garden use. 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
The rounded capsules often have five prominent lobes on top. store in paper bags until seed is released. separate seed by sieving
Seed Treatment Method
Bog method
Seed Storage Life
Long
Viable Seeds Per Gram
500
Seed Treatment Notes
Easily propagated from seed. Each capsule contains many viable seed. Do not sow too thickly and cover lightly. Capillary watering may be useful due to the fine seed.
Germination Time
14-30 days
Suitable for Direct Seeding
Yes
Cuttings
Expected Time to Take Root
Expected Time to Plant Out
Propagation by Division
N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.
No
Cutting Notes
Has been found easy to strike using rooting hormone. Root development was rapid. Grow selected forms from cuttings.
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-11-11
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith