EPACRIDACEAE

Pink Swamp Heath

 

0.8m (80cm) (occassionally 2m) 

5 petals,white or pale pink,occasionally darker , in heads ending main stems & side branches. 

Capsule 

Short shrub occasionally taller with erect branches. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar 

Heath; Montane Vegetation; Riparian 

Found in heaths and wet places from sea level to mountains. 

Exposed; Moist; Windy 

Hardy 

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

N.B. Differences of opinion - seed versus cuttings Murray Ralph and SGAP. Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi. No dificulty from cuttings on heat and mist. No more difficult to prick out than other Epacridaceae cuttings - Plants of Tas. Nursery. Suitable below powerlines. 

Capsules ripen in sequence up the stem. when lower capsule has opened, capsules above can be collected. shake small seeds from capsule when dry 

Standard 

 

 

Difficult to grow from seed. Smoke treatment may improve results. Usually grown from cuttings (Murray Ralph). Not commonly cultivated but probably best grown from seed (SGAP) 

 

No 

6-9 weeks 

9-12 months 

 

Difficult from cuttings Particular care should be taken when handling the minute seedlings because they develop long, fine roots. A well-composted peaty soil is essential and care should be taken not to let plants dry out. Full sun or part shade needed and plants need good drainage. Prune to encourage branching.