Scientific Name: Pentachondra ericifolia Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: fine frillyheath

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Ericaceae

Threatened Species Status: Rare

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: Small heath-like shrub, dwarf, spreading to erect with hairy young growth.

Height (m): 0.15 – 0.6

Flowers: White, solitary, near ends of branches. Short scattered hairs on outside of corolla tube.

Fruit: Drupe – small, splitting into 5 parts when ripe.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonCentral HighlandsDerwent ValleyDorsetGlamorgan-Spring BayNorthern MidlandsSouthern Midlands
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Found in alpine and sub-alpine habitats of the Central Plateau and at Mr. Dromedary. Requires acidic soils which do not dry out readily. Hardy to frost and snowfalls.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Rare in cultivation. Will require exceptionally good drainage in acid soils which do not dry out. Has potential for use in rockeries in temperate regions. A well-composted soil is essential and care should be taken to prevent plants from drying out. A sunny site will enhance flowering.

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 collected from plants.

Seed Treatment Method

Fermentation Collect fleshy fruits in a plastic bag, mash up and allowed to ferment to replicate digestion by a bird.

Seed Treatment Notes

Seeds are said to germinate better after passing through a bird.

Cutting & Division Information

Propagate from cuttings using very soft young growth. Particular care should be taken when handling because they develop long, fine roots.