Scientific Name: Pimelea filiformis Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: trailing riceflower

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Thymelaeaceae

Form Description: Prostrate/scrambling, small flat clumps; light brown/grey bark.

Flowers: Clusters of 6-9 flowers at end of branch, very slender stems. Flowers, 5mm, white to deep pink; tubular.

Fruit: Nut – dry

Municipality
Break O’DayGeorge TownKentishLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Known only from a few localities in northern Tas.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Occurs in heavy or light acidic soils and does best in a semi-shaded site but will tolerate plenty of sunshine. Also tolerates slightly alkaline soils. Excellent as a ground cover beneath shrubs and for growing over rocks and embankments. Attracts butterflies. 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, Cuttings, Division

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Very difficult to grow from seed. Seed releases very quickly once ripe especially during hot weather. Rub fruit over wire screen to remove outer covering.

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 Treatment Notes

Smoke treatment may improve results for some species. Some success has also been reported with burning of small twigs and leaf litter on top of seed; results erratic. May respond to a combination of heat and smoke treatment.

Cutting & Division Information

Usually grown from cuttings of young growth which may be slow to strike, or by division of layered stems. Care should be taken not to strip back the young bark.