Scientific Name: Stackhousia subterranea

Common Name: grassland candles

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Celastraceae

Threatened Species Status: Endangered

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: Smooth perennial herb with solitary aerial shoots and a creeping rhizome.

Height (m): 0.15 – 0.3

Flowers: Similar to Stackhousia monogyna, except with a strongly disagreeable smell, and petals deep cream or yellowish.

Fruit: Nutlet

Municipality
Northern MidlandsSouthern Midlands
Plant Communities
No data available for this species
Habitat Notes

Sandy pastures in the Midlands and the north.

General Notes

Requires well-composted soil and cool position with plenty of water.

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, Division

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Very difficult to grow from seed. Propagate by division or cuttings. Seed is difficult to collect. It ripens over a long period and usually few seeds are viable. The fruit splits into segments at maturity, each of which contains a single seed.

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

Heat combined with smoke treatment may increase germination.

Cutting & Division Information

Can be propagated from cuttings.