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

Common Name: fragrant purpleberry

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Ericaceae

Form Description: Tall shrub, which forms twisted spreading branches in the understorey.

Height (m): 3 – 6

Flowers: Small, sweetly scented pinkish-white in short dense spikes near the ends of branches.

Fruit: Drupe – globular, 5mm in diameter, pale to dark blue, occasionally orange.

Municipality
BurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadDerwent ValleyHuon ValleyKentishMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationRainforest
Habitat Notes

Widespread, but not common, in rainforests of south, centre and west. Extends into sub-alpine habitats especially near quartzite outcrops.

Site Tolerance

Moist, Rocky, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

General Notes

Plants propagated from cuttings may grow slowly in a sheltered site.

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
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 seed treated with acid may improve results.

Cutting & Division Information

Has proven difficult in cultivation, but can be rooted from cuttings.