Those Other Myrtaceae
Ross Doig
Editors Note: The following article dates from the 1960s and some of the plants discussed by Ross are no longer as unknown in cultivation as they were then. However, the article is still very relevent as an introduction to some of the lesser known members of the myrtle family in Australia.
Melaleuca, Leptospermum, Calothamnus, and to a lesser extent eucalypts, have been well catered for by native garden enthusiasts, but there are some highly attractive members of this myrtle family (Myrtaceae) which have not yet found their way into cultivation. Probably the chief reason is the fact that many originate from Western Australia and the few attempts to grow them outside that state have failed.
Into this category fit the following members of the family: Eremaea, Kunzea, Beaufortia, Verticordia, Darwinia, Hypocalymma and Calytrix.
Study of the foregoing list will extract the information that at least one species from most of the genera has been proved to grow well in the eastern states of Australia. For example Kunzea baxteri is available from several nurseries and is highly adaptable in unfamiliar surroundings. Similarly with Kunzea ericifolia, which has proved hardy and rapid in growth in at least two North Shore gardens (Sydney), while producing an abundance of flowers in season. While more uncertain, Darwinia citriodora, Hypocalymma angustifolium, H.robustum and Eremaea beaufortioides are in cultivation.
In each of these genera there are quite a number of species and with the availability of seed through various suppliers (Ed. See the seed suppliers list on the ASGAP website), the way to trials is now wide open. Most germinate readily, Darwinia and Calytrix being exceptions.
Almost all strike readily from cuttings.
A few general observations about each genus...
Beaufortia. The predominant colour of bloom here is red and in the case of B.sparsa, B.heterophylla, B.squarrosa and B.orbifolia, of a particularly intense kind. Species vary from small (under 1 metre) compact shrubs such as B.purpurea (flowers rich purple), B.orbifolia and B.elegans (cream) to tall species like B.sparsa. They are easy from seed and reputedly not difficult from cuttings (B.purpurea certainly presents no difficulties).
Calytrix. About 30 species from Western Australia alone, some now appearing in nurseries. The familiar C.tetragona, widespread in New South Wales, grows well from cuttings and is familiar in cultivation. I have found the few Calytrix species I have tried easy from cuttings but almost impossible from seed. My experience, however, is limited to four species only. Two of these I have got up from seed.
The flowers with their elongated awns in yellow, white, pinks and reds, cover the plants in season and further many
species are small and eminently suited to home gardens.
Chamelaucium. C.uncinatum (Geraldton Wax) is probably more widely grown than any other native shrub, yet it is not the most attractive of the genus. C.megalopetalum and C.axillare are well worth trying. So little has been done with this genus that whether they are difficult or easy from seed or cuttings is unknown. C.uncinatum and C.axillare, however, will grow from both seed and cuttings, although the percentage is not high in either case.
Darwinia. While New South Wales has several species, it is to Western Australia that one must look for the really attractive species. Varying in height from prostrate to six feet shrubs, attractive foliage is a feature of almost all. But those known as Mountain Bells from southern Western Australia are incredibly beautiful in bloom. One has only to read the article in Your Garden magazine (August 1963), by Alf Gray to realise the possibilities. Unfortunately species I have tried from seed have been difficult and in some cases impossible, but should cutting wood become available success could be expected in propagation.
Eremaea. Small shrubs, usually less than 1 metre, compact or spreading according to species, and most with red or orange flowers; the latter a colour usually absent from Australian natives, except for a few of the Proteaceae. They germinate freely from seed but are inclined to damp off at any stage if soil conditions are not to their liking. The fact that the flowers are borne terminally and in most species in heads makes them well worth growing.
Hypocalymma. Of the 13 species indigenous to Western Australia we know of only three, H.cordifolium, H.robustum and H.angustifolium in cultivation. The first strikes readily from cuttings, the second and third less readily but still satisfactory. Germination of some species is poor but this genus is one for any enthusiast to experiment with.
Kunzea. Species from 1 to 2.5 metres, narrow or wide spreading, flowers varying in colour from a rich red, through pink to yellow. Seed is particularly easy to germinate and cuttings, if you can get them, should be no trouble. Flowers are in heads and terminal, and mostly spectacular as with K.baxteri, K.sericea and K.preissiana var. villiceps.
Verticordia. This genus has proved the most difficult to cultivate. Germination of seeds is usually poor, cuttings feasible but unreliable, but such is the spectacular nature of the flowers and the length of the blooming season that any or all are worth persevering with. The typical Verticordia is in bloom like a head of a cauliflower, made up, on close inspection, of thousands of small feathery blossoms. Yellow, pink, scarlet, cream and white are the main colours. Mostly small, under 1 metre, few genera have so many desirable species. For example, few who have seen V.grandis in flower would forget its rich redness.
Other Myrtaceae of small stature which have yet hardly come into culture are the Thryptomene, Baeckea *, Scholtzia, Micromyrtus and Wehlia, all having a number of species. Most are relatively easy from cuttings though at the same time usually difficult from seed. However, by sowing thickly it is possible to raise at least one or two seedlings and as soon as they are large enough, take cuttings from them. Payne's Thryptomene, Baeckea camphorosmae and Micromyrtus ciliata are examples of these genera already in native gardens. There is no reason for excluding further species now that seed is becoming available.
Finally, many of these plants are the residents of the sand heath areas of Western Australia and in danger of extinction as thousands of acres are given over to sheep and wheat farming each year. In the process all bush is COMPLETELY cleared, no thought of reserves, and only roadside verges show what once was. Verticordias are particularly vulnerable in this respect. Society members are likely to be the only people actively interested in growing the species and unless we do, it is certain that no one else will save them, even if some all areas are given over as Reserves to become the grazing area of any stray stock and the gravel pit, metal dumping, rubbish accumulating spots for local Road Boards and the public alike.
* Baeckea has recently undergone botanical revision and has been split into a number of genera including Baeckea, Babingtonia, Euryomyrtus, Triplarina and Rinzia. See "When is a Baeckea not a Baeckea" in the December 2001 issue of Australian Plants online for an outline of changes to Baeckea species of the eastern states of Australia.
The original source of this article is not known. It was probably first published in "Native Plants for New South Wales" in the mid to late 1960s.
Australian Plants online - 2006
Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
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