PITTOSPORACEAE

Prickly Box, Sweet Bursaria

 

3.0m - 8.0m (300-800cm) 

Prolific cream-white scented flowers 

Papery capsule 

Shrub or small tree 

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 

Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland 

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. 

Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy 

Hardy 

Clay; Fertile; Loam; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained 

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. 

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 

Standard 

 

190 

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. 

up to several months 

Yes