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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Richea scoparia Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: scoparia
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Ericaceae
Form Description: Erect, much-branched shrub , rounded bushes in windy places on mountains.
Height (m): 0.5 – 3
Flowers: Flower spikes from white, through pink to red or orange. Opens when rice-like caps fall off.
Fruit: Capsule
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread and abundant on mountains in alpine heaths and bog.
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Waterlogged, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, 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.
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
Collect the 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.
Cutting & Division Information
Can be grown from cuttings, although some species are difficult.