EPACRIDACEAE

Border Heath

Endangered 

0.5m - 3.0m (50-300cm) 

White, bell-shaped with short style. Bracts,sepals translucent, streaked pink, in crowded heads. 

Papery capsule 

Erect shrub with long slender stems. * (see general notes) 

Break O'Day; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Northern Midlands 

Sedgeland and Wetland; Wet Eucalypt Forest 

Tas. endemic. Margins of marshes on the East Coast where sedgy eucalyptus woodlands grade into forests usually of E. amygdalina and/or tenuiramis. 

Moist; Shady; Waterlogged 

 

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

*Epacris limbata occurs in the same general area as E. lanuginosa and tasmanica but its long dense flower heads and heart-shaped leaves with thin translucent margins easily distinguish it . 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. 

When the lower capsule on the stem has opened, the capsules higher on the stem are ready for collection 

Bog method 

 

 

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. 

10-20 weeks 

 

 

 

No 

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.