EPACRIDACEAE

Pretty or Drumstick Heath

Vulnerable 

0.6m (60cm) 

White tubular flowers 6mm across; solitary in numerous axils. 

Papery capsule 

Small white heath (shrub), few slender upright branches. 

Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Huon Valley; Kingborough; Sorell; Tasman 

Heath 

Tas. endemic. Damp foothills. Local in northern Tas. on Asbestos Hills. 

Moist 

 

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained 

Harvest stalks containing capsules by hand or with secateurs, place upside down in large paper bags. Capsules split at seed maturity. Collect open capsules carefully to prevent seed loss. Dry until capsules have opened, lightly thresh to extract seed (more vigorous measures may be necessary for obstinate seed), clean by sieving. Seed of some species exhibits a dormancy which is reportedly overcome by storage in a dark place for 3- 6 months. If using bog method seed should be spread over surface of propagation mixture . If the medium is then kept constantly moist, germination should occur within 10-20 weeks. Suitable below powerlines. 

Seed released immediately on maturity. seeds enclosed in small papery capsules; when lower capsule on stem opens, capsules higher on stem are ready for collection. see gen. notes 

Bog method 

 

 

Difficult to grow from seed. Smoke treatment has been found to significantly improve results for species with smaller seeds. Species with woody fruits and larger seeds are not responsive. The bog method and older seed may improve results.* See gen. notes 

10-20 weeks 

No 

 

 

 

Grown from tip cuttings, best taken in March and placed into individual tubes. This avoids problems in the growing on process due to the very fine root systems.