Scientific Name: Comesperma retusum
Common Name: mountain milkwort
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Polygalaceae
Form Description: Shrub with erect, slender, rather rigid branches.
Height (m): 0.6 – 0.9
Flowers: Bright pink/purple (rarely lavender coloured), 2 large sepals forming wings. Other parts small.
Fruit: Capsule is wedge-shaped. Seeds with a tuft of hairs.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread but infrequent in wet heaths and scrub from sea level to mountain plateaux, especially inland.
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Propagation Calendar
-
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
Collect into paper bags; store in fridge in plastic envelopes.
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
Should have good results. Viability is low if seed is not collected when fully mature.
Germination Time
5-8 weeks
Cutting & Division Information
Take cuttings of new growth starting to harden off.