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Scientific Name
Bursaria spinosa
Family Name
PITTOSPORACEAE
Common Name
Prickly Box, Sweet Bursaria
Status
Height
3.0m - 8.0m (300-800cm)
Flowers
Prolific cream-white scented flowers
Fruit
Papery capsule
Form
Shrub or small tree
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Brighton; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar
Communities
Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland
Habitat Notes
Grows on a range of soils, including acidic and moderately alkaline soils. Dislikes very poorly-drained sites. Tolerates wind and frost, although young plants may be susceptible.
Site Tolerance
Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Clay; Fertile; Loam; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained
General Notes
Very useful plant; for erosion control (fibrous roots), shelterbelts, and as wildlife habitat. Bursaria flowers attract many insects, including some that feed on the saw-fly larvae that infest eucalypts, and wasps that parasitise pasture grubs. It is good shelter for birds and Eastern Barred Bandicoots. Timber is pale, fine grained and tough, and seasons well due to very little shrinkage. A source of nectar for honey production. Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. Leaves contain aesculin, thought to absorb ultra violet rays and apparently used by early settlers to prevent sunburn. 4-6 weeks stratification @ 4oC = Germination may be enhanced. 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
Like coins in a papery heart-shaped purse. seeds are dropped when ripe, some may be left in capsules for weeks. leave toe-end of stocking "bag" over nearly-ripe capsules to catch seed as it falls. do not collect in moist weather
Seed Treatment Method
Standard
Seed Storage Life
Viable Seeds Per Gram
190
Seed Treatment Notes
Sow in winter, when temperatures are low and daylengths short.* Sow seed fresh, directly into pots if possible. Dislikes pricking out. Seedlings prone to late "damping off", so keep well ventilated, or use appropriate fungicide, such as Prevacure or Tea (Tree?*) Oil.
Germination Time
up to several months
Suitable for Direct Seeding
Yes
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
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-10-12
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith