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Image Credit: N. Lawrence – Natural Values Atlas
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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
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Image Credit: Julie Ayre – with permission
Scientific Name: Bursaria spinosa subsp. spinosa
Common Name: prickly box
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Pittosporaceae
Form Description: Shrub or small tree. Very variable in size and form. In west and south-west a tree to 18m.
Height (m): 3 – 8
Flowers: Prolific cream-white scented flowers.
Fruit: Papery capsule – seeds like coins in a papery heart-shaped purse.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Grows on a range of soils, including acidic and moderately alkaline soils. Dislikes very poorly-drained sites. Tolerates wind and frost, although young plants may be susceptible.
Site Tolerance
Dry, Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Clay, Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
Very useful plant; for erosion control (fibrous roots), shelter belts, and as wildlife habitat. Bursaria flowers attract many insects, including some that feed on the saw-fly larvae that infest eucalypts, and wasps that parasitise pasture grubs. Bird attracting. It provides good shelter for birds and Eastern Barred Bandicoots. Bee Attracting. A source of nectar for honey production. Resistant to wildlife browsing due to its unpalatability. Timber is pale, fine grained and tough, and seasons well due to very little shrinkage. Leaves contain aesculin, thought to absorb ultra violet rays and apparently used by early settlers to prevent sunburn.
Propagation Calendar
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Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Seeds are dropped when ripe, some may be left in capsules for weeks. Leave toe-end of stocking “bag” over nearly-ripe capsules to catch seed as it falls. Do not collect in moist weather.
Seed Treatment Method
Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.
Seed Treatment Notes
Sow seed fresh. Sow in winter, when temperatures are low and daylengths short. With 4-6 weeks stratification at 4°C germination may be enhanced. Seedlings prone to late “damping off”, so keep well ventilated, or use appropriate fungicide.
Germination Time
Up to several months