Communities

Scientific Name

Richea acerosa

Family Name

EPACRIDACEAE

Common Name

Bare-branched Richea

Status

Height

0.6m - 1.2m (60-120cm)

Flowers

White, cream or light pink, in small spikes at ends of branches.

Fruit

Capsule

Form

Rigid shrub with leaves only on stems of current season's growth.

Municipalities

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

Communities

Heath; Montane Vegetation

Habitat Notes

Tas. endemic. Locally frequent on flat damp ground on northern mountains. Also found on mountains of the central plateau and west.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; 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

Collect the capsules just prior to opening, while they are still green

Seed Treatment Method

Smoke

Seed Storage Life

Short

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Seed should be sown very soon after collection. Smoke treatment improves results.Surface sow or light cover the very fine seed. Do not sow too thinly or thickly. Very small seedling should be pricked out as soon as possible as they develop long tap roots.

Germination Time

6-9 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

Also grown from cuttings - some species are difficult. 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. Some overhead shade is desirable.