Family Index

Scientific Name

Lomatia polymorpha

Family Name

PROTEACEAE

Common Name

Variable Guitar Plant

Status

Height

4.0m (400cm)

Flowers

Large, creamy-white i n heavy heads. Very sweet-scented.

Fruit

Seed follicles

Form

Shrub

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; Kentish; Kingborough; Latrobe; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast

Communities

Montane Vegetation; Riparian

Habitat Notes

Tas. endemic.Widespread and frequent on mountains from c400m-1000m and at sea level on the west coast and in the south. Grows as an understorey shrub in high atitude forest.

Site Tolerance

Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Shady; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained

General Notes

Not 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

Stalked follicle opening into a wide, oval-shaped flatplate revealing winged seeds. collect just prior to opening or use stocking bag

Seed Treatment Method

Standard

Seed Storage Life

12-18 months

Viable Seeds Per Gram

200

Seed Treatment Notes

Follicle splits releasing seeds when mature. Fresh seed (in current season) germinates easily, seedling growth may be slow. Use fungicide.

Germination Time

3-6 weeks

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Yes

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

8-12 weeks

Expected Time to Plant Out

5 months

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes

May be propagated from cuttings.