EPACRIDACEAE

Spike Beard-heath

 

1.0m (100cm) 

White, with a strong sweet scent in solitary spikes crowded at the ends of branches . 

Berries or drupes 

Shrub with erect non-hairy branches. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar 

Coastal Vegetation; Heath 

Local in sandy coastal heaths in the east and north. 

Dry; Exposed 

 

Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained 

Keep seed trays in partial shade. Most species require a well-drained, well-composted soil with cool root run which can be provided by large flat stones or a thick mulch. Further experimental work is necessary. Suitable below powerlines. 

Fruit, a spherical drupe, somewhat flattened, fleshy and amber-yellow in colour 

Storage 

 

 

Storage of seed in a dark place for 3-6 months may help germination. Sow in media inoculated with soil from around parent plant. Some growers have had success with bird-ingested seed which provided very good results Stratification may reduce germination time. *(see general notes) 

3-18 months 

No 

 

 

No 

Usually grown from cuttings but the percentage strike is usually low.