Scientific Name: Trochocarpa disticha Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: spreading purpleberry

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Ericaceae

Form Description: Tall spreading shrub.

Height (m): 3 – 4

Flowers: Pink, tubular, crowded in cylindrical terminal spikes.

Fruit: Drupe – pale to deep purple, pithy, 6–10 mm diameter, separating readily into segments.

Municipality
BurnieHuon Valley
Plant Communities
Wet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Local in the extreme south of the state at Recherche Bay and near Lune River.

Site Tolerance

Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

General Notes

A well-composted soil that is well-drained is essential and care should be taken to prevent plants from drying out. A damp shady spot is important.

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 Treatment Method

Fermentation Collect fleshy fruits in a plastic bag, mash up and allowed to ferment to replicate digestion by a bird.

Seed Treatment Notes

Difficult to grow from seed. Bird-ingested seed or acid treatment may improve results.

Cutting & Division Information

Difficult to grow from cuttings. Particular care should be taken when handling because they develop long, fine roots.