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Scientific Name
Epacris impressa
Family Name
EPACRIDACEAE
Common Name
Common Heath
Status
Height
0.2m - 1m (20-100cm)
Flowers
Red, pink or white tubular
Fruit
Papery capsule
Form
Small shrub
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; Heath
Habitat Notes
Widespread and very abundant, sea level to 800m
Site Tolerance
Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Shady; Windy
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Soil Tolerance
Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Sandy; Well-drained
General Notes
Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi 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. Post germination development is retarded by nutrients in potting mix so low nutrient (especially Phosphorous) is advised. Bird attracting. 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.capsule opens by 5 lines, seeds numerous. drops seed on maturity.
Seed Treatment Method
Smoke
Seed Storage Life
12 months
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment Notes
Difficult to propagate from seed.Smoke treatment recently found to increase germination significantly.Seed is said to germinate better while fresh.Sedlings are very small and difficult to prick-out if not planted in individual tubes. See gen. notes re. nutrients.
Germination Time
2-3 weeks
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.
No
Cutting Notes
Grown from very small tip cuttings, in Summer, from very healthy stock plants, 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