Family Index

Scientific Name

Cryptandra amara

Family Name

RHAMNACEAE

Common Name

Bitter Cryptandra, Pretty Pearlflower

Status

Endangered

Height

15-30cm

Flowers

Solitary or in clusters of 2-3, the oldest flowers are at the base and the youngest towards the top of the stem.

Fruit

Capsule

Form

Small, wiry shrub with rigid branches often ending in a fine spine. Young branches are covered in tiny star-shaped hairs. Leaves are thin and blunt, 2-6mm long.

Municipalities

Brighton; Central Highlands; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Launceston; Northern Midlands; Southern Midlands; West Tamar

Communities

Habitat Notes

Grazed dolerite paddocks, rocky dry sclerophyll forests, heathy woodlands along roadsides, dry, north-facing dolerite outcrops and on rock plates near rivers. Midlands, North and East Coast.

Site Tolerance

Frost Tolerance

Soil Tolerance

General Notes

Difficult to grow from seed, although seed seems to have high viability. Smoke treatment does not appear to increase germination; soaking in warm or hot water may improve results. Usually grown from cuttings. 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

Soaking

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment 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.

Yes

Cutting Notes