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Scientific Name
Epacris gunnii
Family Name
EPACRIDACEAE
Common Name
Coral Heath
Status
Height
branches 0.2m - 0.9m (20-90cm)
Flowers
White, wide bell-shaped, along upper parts of branches in conspicuous spikes.
Fruit
Papery capsule
Form
Rigid shrub with a few slender erect branches. Leaves heart-shaped, sharply pointed.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Huon Valley; Kentish; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Southern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar
Communities
Heath; Montane Vegetation
Habitat Notes
Tas. endemic; Locally frequent in wet heaths from sea level to mountain plateaux at c1000m.
Site Tolerance
Exposed; Moist; Windy
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Poorly-drained; Well-drained
General Notes
Seed of some species exhibits a dormancy which is reportedly overcome by storage in a dark place for 3- 6 months. If using bog method seed should be spread over surface of propagation mixture. If the medium is then kept constantly moist, germination should occur within 10-20 weeks. 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
When the lower capsule on the stem has opened, the capsules higher on the stem are ready for collection
Seed Treatment Method
Bog method
Seed Storage Life
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment Notes
Difficult to grow from seed. Smoke treatment has been found to significantly improve results for species with smaller seeds. Species with woody fruits and larger seeds are not responsive. The bog method and older seed may improve results.* See gen. notes.
Germination Time
10-20 weeks
Suitable for Direct Seeding
No
Cuttings
Expected Time to Take Root
Expected Time to Plant Out
Propagation by Division
N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.
No
Cutting Notes
Grown from tip cuttings, best taken in March and placed into individual tubes. This avoids problems in the growing on process due to the very fine root systems.
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-10-10
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith