Communities

Scientific Name

Monotoca empetrifolia

Family Name

EPACRIDACEAE

Common Name

Creepy Monotoca

Status

Height

0.3m (30cm)

Flowers

2-3 together in short spikes.

Fruit

Berries or drupes

Form

Small shrub with spreading, almost prostrate branches, densely foliaged.

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; West Coast

Communities

Heath; Montane Vegetation

Habitat Notes

Tas.endemic. Widespread in alpine heath in the eastern and central mountains above 900m and often associated with rocky sites.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Well-drained

General Notes

Very little cultivated. Should do well in a well-drained position and makes a good container plant or bonsai. Responds well to pruning which promotes colourful new growth. 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

Fruit a pale greenish-yellow almost spherical drupe

Seed Treatment Method

Fermentation

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Difficult to grow from seed but bird-ingested seed or using acid treatment may improve results. Do not discard seedling trays within 18 months of sowing as germination can be very slow.

Germination Time

up to 18 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

Propagate from cuttings using soft young growth. Use of rooting hormones can be beneficial. Particular care should be taken when handling the minute seedlings because they develop long, fine roots. A well-composted soil is essential and care should be taken not to let plants dry out.