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

Common Name: alpine riceflower

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Thymelaeaceae

Form Description: Cushion-like dwarf shrub.

Height (m): 0.02 – 0.05

Flowers: Flowers to about 0.8cm long, white, solitary, terminal, often profuse, exterior free of hairs.

Fruit: Drupe

Municipality
Central HighlandsMeander Valley
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Occurs in sub-alpine moorland in central Tasmania.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Could be a very useful plant for rockeries or containers but may not flower well at lower altitudes. Must have an open aspect to succeed. Tolerates frost and heavy snowfalls and requires acidic soils. 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

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Very difficult to grow from seed. Seed releases very quickly once ripe. Slightly immature fruit can be harvested and allowed to mature in a warm position. Rub on wire screens to remove outer coverings.

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 has improved results slightly 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 combination of heat and smoke.

Cutting & Division Information

Can be grown from cuttings. Care should be taken not to strip back the young bark.