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Scientific Name
Monotoca empetrifolia
Family Name
EPACRIDACEAE
Common Name
Creepy Monotoca
Status
Height
0.3m (30cm)
Flowers
2-3 together in short spikes.
Fruit
Berries or drupes
Form
Small shrub with spreading, almost prostrate branches, densely foliaged.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; West Coast
Communities
Heath; Montane Vegetation
Habitat Notes
Tas.endemic. Widespread in alpine heath in the eastern and central mountains above 900m and often associated with rocky sites.
Site Tolerance
Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Well-drained
General Notes
Very little cultivated. Should do well in a well-drained position and makes a good container plant or bonsai. Responds well to pruning which promotes colourful new growth. 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
Fruit a pale greenish-yellow almost spherical drupe
Seed Treatment Method
Fermentation
Seed Storage Life
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment Notes
Difficult to grow from seed but bird-ingested seed or using acid treatment may improve results. Do not discard seedling trays within 18 months of sowing as germination can be very slow.
Germination Time
up to 18 months
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
Propagate from cuttings using soft young growth. Use of rooting hormones can be beneficial. Particular care should be taken when handling the minute seedlings because they develop long, fine roots. A well-composted soil is essential and care should be taken not to let plants dry out.
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-11-22
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith