Scientific Name: Diselma archeri Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: dwarf pine
Family Classification (Clade): Gymnosperms
Family: Cupressaceae
Form Description: Grey-green shrub, branches curving downwards at the ends. Branchlets with foliage appear square in cross section.
Height (m): 1.5 – 2.5
Fruit: Cone – male and female cones on separate plants. Female have 2 pairs of scales, only upper pair fertile. Ripe seeds, 2 per cone, longer than scales which become hard and brownish-purple in colour.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Found mainly in the central and western mountains but also occurring on unburnt sections of the Central Plateau and as a small tree (to 6m) in rainforest.
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Shady, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
Withstands frost and snow and does best in moist, well drained soils in a cool location. Appreciates summer watering. Relatively slow growing and has been in cultivation for many years.
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
Difficult to collect as seed is shed rapidly.
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 Storage Life
Short
Seed Treatment Notes
May be grown from seed. Use fresh seed. Viability varies from year to year.
Cutting & Division Information
Cuttings strike fairly readily. Use firm but vigorous tip cuttings with or without “heels” and strike in a 2:1 mix of peat moss and sand. Late summer is best time to collect cuttings. Should strike more successfully if stored in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss in the refrigerator at or about 3-4°C for 6-8 weeks prior to setting out. Bottom heat and mist is beneficial or a plastic bag over the pot. Plants grow slowly and require adequate moisture. Also from layer.