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

Common Name: mountain riceflower

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Thymelaeaceae

Form Description: Shrub with many erect stems and leaves almost round.

Height (m): 0.25 – 0.75

Flowers: White to pale pink many-flowered heads at end of branches.

Fruit: Dry, nut-like – appear in clusters but are not prominent.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsDerwent ValleyDorsetGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKingboroughLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Found in alpine heath in the eastern and central mountains, often on dolerite boulder-fields.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Shady, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Requires moist, well drained acidic soils with plenty of organic matter. Tolerates sunshine but prefers semi-shade. Withstands heavy frosts and snowfalls. 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 but difficult. Care should be taken not to strip back the young bark.