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

Common Name: thymeleaf purpleberry

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Ericaceae

Form Description: Much-branched shrub.

Height (m): 1 – 1.5

Flowers: Small, white, sweet-scented 3-5 together in dense clusters.

Fruit: Drupe – bluish-purple (occasionally white), spherical, about 8mm in diameter, clustered at the ends of branches.

Municipality
Break O’DayCentral HighlandsDerwent ValleyHobartLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Widespread and frequent in alpine and sub-alpine habitats.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

May be difficult to grow on at lower altitudes.

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

Cuttings strike more easily than many members of the southern heath family.