Scientific Name: Persoonia muelleri subsp. muelleri Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: highland geebung
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Proteaceae
Form Description: Shrub with young branchlets densely hairy, hairs greyish. Leaves not crowded.
Height (m): 1.2 – 4
Flowers: Mostly subtended by scale leaves, tepals 15- 22mm long, yellow to cream, hairy on outside.
Fruit: Drupe – purplish-black, ovoid, 8–12 mm long; edible, semi-sweet but mealy and tasteless.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Occurs chiefly north-east of Lake St. Clair – Derwent River with a single collection known from Mt. Field. Grows in alpine heath and sclerophyll forest on dolerite from 700 to 1200m alt.
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Shady, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
P. muelleri susbsp. muelleri apparently intergrades with subsp. angustifolia in the area between Lake St. Clair and Macquarie Harbour, also in the Lake Dove-Cradle Mountain and Adamsons Peak-South Cape areas.
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
Seed extraction by fermentation in water for 1-2 weeks or treat with a weak solution of sulphuric acid. Wash and dry seed for storage.
Seed Treatment Method
Leaching Some species require extended time in nature weathering prior to germination as chemical inhibitors are broken down in the seed coat. Replicate this process by flushing away the inhibitor with frequent washing e.g. place the seeds in a stocking in a toilet cistern and drape it over the top for easy handling.
Seed Treatment Notes
Germination appears to be prevented by a combination of thick woody fruit, chemical inhibitors and embryo immaturity. Leach in running water for 21 days or scarify the fruit, sow in autumn, leave unwatered in summer months, allow to bake in sun. Alternative recommendations include using 2-3 year old seed collected from under plants, splitting seed with knife, treatment with gibberallic acid or duplicating bushfire conditions.
Cutting & Division Information
Propagation has been successful from cuttings of very young growth, which can be very slow to form roots.