Scientific Name: Epacris impressa

Common Name: common heath

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Ericaceae

Form Description: Erect, straggly, small shrub.

Height (m): 0.2 – 1

Flowers: Red, pink or white tubular.

Fruit: Papery capsule – opens by 5 lines, seeds numerous.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt ForestHeath
Habitat Notes

Widespread and very abundant, sea level to 800m.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Shady, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

General Notes

Post germination development is retarded by nutrients in potting mix so low nutrient (especially phosphorus) is advised. Bird attracting. Bee attracting. Susceptible 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
Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Difficult to propagate from seed. When the lower capsule on the stem has opened the capsules higher on the stem are ready for collection. Drops seed on maturity.

Seed Treatment Method

Smoke Smoke treatment improves germination in some species. Smokey products, e.g. smokey vermiculite, can be purchased and applied to the sown seed, or sown seeds can be treated directly with smoke from a source such as a drum with a fire and hose.

Seed Storage Life

12 months

Seed Treatment Notes

Smoke treatment found to increase germination significantly. Seed is said to germinate better while fresh. Seed of some species exhibits a dormancy which is reportedly overcome by storage in a dark place for 3- 6 months. If using bog method seed should be spread over surface of propagation mixture. If the medium is then kept constantly moist, germination should occur within 10-20 weeks. Seedlings are very small and difficult to prick out if not planted in individual tubes.

Germination Time

2-3 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Grown from very small tip cuttings, in summer, from very healthy stock plants, and placed into individual tubes. This avoids problems in the growing on process due to the very fine root systems.