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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Richea pandanifolia subsp. pandanifolia Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: pandani
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Ericaceae
Form Description: Tree, usually unbranched with lower trunk bare or clothed with dead leaves.
Flowers: Red or pink flowers in dense stalked heads in leaf axils. Caps of petals shed to show stamens.
Fruit: Capsule
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Frequent in wet Alpine and Sub-alpine forests and gullies, extending in a stunted form to mountain plateaux at altitudes of c1200m
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Shady
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
A well-composted soil is essential and care should be taken to prevent plants from drying out. Some overhead shade is desirable. Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Old leaves are used by contemporary basket weavers contributing interesting curling effects.
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
Capsules become reddish-brown when mature. Collect capsules just prior to opening, while they are still green.
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 Storage Life
Short
Seed Treatment Notes
May be grown from fresh seed. Surface sow or lightly cover. Do not sow too thinly or thickly. Smoke treatment may improve results. The very small seedlings should be pricked out as soon as possible as they develop long fine roots. A well-composted soil is essential and care should be taken not to let plants dry out. Some overhead shade is desirable.
Germination Time
6-9 months
Cutting & Division Information
Can be grown from cuttings although some species are difficult.