Communities

Scientific Name

Microcachrys tetragona

Family Name

PODOCARPACEAE

Common Name

Creeping Pine, Strawberry Pine

Status

Height

Flowers

Fruit

Cones

Form

Spreading shrub with some erect branch - lets. Branchlets appear square in x section.

Municipalities

Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; Kentish; Meander Valley; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast

Communities

Montane Vegetation

Habitat Notes

Tas. endemic. Frequent in subalpine habitats, exposed ridges and wet moors on mountains of the central plateau, west and southwest at c1000-1300m.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Poorly-drained; Well-drained

General Notes

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

Male cones small, terminal, ovoid. female cones terminal with 20-28 fertile scales. ripe seed embedded in the bract scale which becomes fleshy and scarlet in colour. seed can be difficult to collect - may be shed quickly

Seed Treatment Method

Standard

Seed Storage Life

Short

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Grown from seed, however seed is often non-viable or viability may vary from year to year. Fresh seed is recommended. Cover seed lightly.

Germination Time

1-2 months

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

Cuttings strike fairly readily. Use tip cuttings with or without "heels" and strike in a 2:1 mix of peat moss and sand. Late summer is best time to collect Should strike more successfully if stored in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss in the refrigerator at or about 3-4oC for 6-8 weeks prior to setting out. Bottom heat and mist is beneficial or a plastic bag over the pot. Plants grow slowly and require adequate moisture. Also grows from layering.