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Image Credit: Rob Wiltshire – Natural Values Atlas
Scientific Name: Sprengelia montana Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: alpine swampheath
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Ericaceae
Form Description: Usually a small spreading shrub branched from the base, branches ascending.
Flowers: 5 petals, white or pink.
Fruit: Capsule
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Frequent in alpine and sub-alpine heaths.
Site Tolerance
Exposed, Moist, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
General Notes
Sprengelia montana is described as an extreme variable form of Sprengelia incarnata. It has less strongly pointed smaller leaves than S. incarnata. Intermediate forms occur in which the characters are combined in different ways. Other variants growing in cushion plants and particularly in Dracophyllum minimum are distinctive. A well-composted soil is essential and care should be taken to prevent plants from drying out.
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 ripen in sequence up the stem. When lower capsule has opened, capsules above can be collected. Shake small seeds from capsule when dry.
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
Difficult to grow from seed but smoke may improve results.
Cutting & Division Information
Difficult from cuttings. Particular care should be taken when handling because they develop long, fine roots.