Family Index

Scientific Name

Richea procera

Family Name

EPACRIDACEAE

Common Name

Lax Candle Heath

Status

Height

3.0m (300cm)

Flowers

Solitary, the base of flower surrounded by 2-6 bracts, the 2 outer ones prominently keeled.

Fruit

Capsule

Form

Shrub, sparingly branched.

Municipalities

Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Kingborough; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Southern Midlands; West Coast

Communities

Heath; Subalpine woodland and forest

Habitat Notes

Tas. endemic. Occasional and locally frequent from sea level to about 800m. Rare in low altitude alpine heath in the eastern mountains, more common in subalpine woodland and forest.

Site Tolerance

Moist; Shady

Frost Tolerance

Soil Tolerance

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

General Notes

Very similar to R. sprengelioides but with narrower, more lax leaves.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

May be grown from fresh seed. Surface sow or lightly cover. Do not sow too thinly or thickly. Smoke treatment may improve results. The very small seedlings should be pricked out as soon as possible as they develop long tap roots.

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.

Cutting Notes

Also grown from cuttings, although 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.