Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)Australian Heaths
Brian Walters
Australian Heaths are members of the cosmopolitan heath family (Ericaceae) and they have a superficial similarity to the heaths (mainly Erica) of Europe and Africa. Previously, most Australian members of the family were classified as being in the now obsolete family Epacridaceae but have now been re-classified as sub-family Epacridoideae of the Ericaceae. There are two other sub-familes which include Australian genera but it is genera in the sub-family Epacridoideae that are regarded as ‘Australian Heaths’.
Heath is actually a type of vegetation that usually occupies exposed coastal or mountain ridges. It’s characterized by low-growing plants, usually having small leaves to prevent desiccation in drying winds, with perhaps a few small trees emerging here and there. The plants of heathland are diverse and come from many different genera and are generally small shrubs which produce an attractive, massed display during the winter/spring months.
Species in the sub-family Epacridoideae are essentially Australian (about 75% of the species occur here). The remainder are found in Southeast Asia and South America.
Epacris (generally pronounced with the accent on the middle syllable) is the best known genus in the heaths, but other members include Styphelia, Leucopogon, Sprengelia, Woolsia and Richea, but only relatively few are well known, even to native plant enthusiasts.
It’s rare to find members of the Australian heaths available for sale in garden centres. In fact the South African and European ericas are undoubtedly more familiar to Australian gardeners. Due to the scarcity of plants, this article will just serve as a brief introduction and perhaps encourage readers to keep a look out for them on their next winter bushwalk.
The two most widely grown species (Epacris impressa and Epacris longiflora) are also two of the most attractive. So let’s look at those two first.
Epacris impressa
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| Epacris impressa: Bega Form (Photo: Brian Walters) |
This is known as the ‘common heath’, a name that does so little to describe the beauty of the plant, it borders on the insulting! The species has the distinction of being the first to be adopted by an Australian state as a floral emblem. It was declared Victoria’s emblem in 1958…which should be reason enough for those in the garden state to grow it. But the plant is so spectacular that the rest of us shouldn’t let floral parochialism deter us. Actually the species occurs in Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales as well as in Victoria but it probably has more diversity of form in the latter state.
This plant has small leaves, typical of the heaths, and the long, tubular flowers may be pink, red or white. It grows to about 0.5 metres in height with flowering generally commencing in the winter months and continuing through to late spring.
There are several different forms available and they differ in their adaptability to garden conditions. One form that has been successful in many districts is the red flowered “Bega” form which obviously can be found in the bushland around that town, but it’s fairly widespread along the far south coast of New South Wales.
Another interesting form (but, unfortunately not as hardy as “Bega”) is the variety grandiflora. As the name suggests, it has larger flowers. A double flowered form is also in cultivation.
Epacris longiflora
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| Epacris longiflora (Photo: Brian Walters) |
This is another very spectacular species that is common in moist, sandstone areas around Sydney. It also occurs in southern Queensland.
The flowers are similar to Epacris impressa, although often longer (to about 3-4 cm), and are usually red with white tips. An all-white form is available in nurseries. The plant often has a sprawling or arching habit of growth which, I think, adds to its appeal.
This plant goes by the unfortunate common name of ‘fuchsia heath’. I’ve sometimes heard a few people call it ‘cigarette flower’ – which makes one wonder what sort of cigarettes they’ve been smoking….
Conostephium pendulum
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| Conostephium pendulum (Photo: Brian Walters) |
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| Epacris reclinata (Photo: Jill Dark) |
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| Epacris obtusifolia (Photo: Jill Dark) |
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| Lissanthe strigosa (Photo: Jill Dark) |
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| Richea pandanifolia (Photo: Brian Walters) |
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| Sprengelia incarnata (Photo: Jill Dark) |
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| Styphelia affinis (Photo: Jill Dark) |
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| Woolsia pungens (Photo: Jill Dark) |
Conostephium consists of about 10-12 species of small shrubs, all of which are endemic to the southern part of Western Australia.
Conostephium pendulum (commonly known as pearl flower) is the most common species in the genus. It is a low, spreading shrub up to about 1 metre high.
Epacris reclinata
Some regard Epacris reclinata as the most beautiful of the Epacris species and it’s hard to argue with that view when you see it in its natural habitat in the higher parts of the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. This species has the same common name as Epacris longiflora – ‘fuchsia heath’
The flowers are similar in shape to the previous species and are generally a beautiful deep pink or red in colour. The plant rarely exceeds about 1 metre in height but, in cultivation, it performs best in colder districts.
Epacris obtusifolia
This is a fairly widely distributed species which has a growth habit and general appearance similar to a number of other epacrids. It’s common name is ‘blunt-leaf heath’ and it can be found in damp heathlands in all of the eastern states. It is a compact plant with white, tubular flowers to about 1 cm long.
Lissanthe strigosa
Lissanthe is a small genus of about nine species which are found in all Australian states.
Lissanthe strigosa (‘peach heath’) is the most widely distributed member of the genus and it occurs in a range of habitats. It is a small, stiff shrub to about a metre in height but often smaller. The white to pink flowers are tubular and about 25 mm long, occurring in clusters in the leaf axils towards the ends of the branches.
Richea pandanifolia
The genus Richea consists of about 10 species, all but one of which are endemic to Tasmania.
Richea pandanifolia (‘pandani’ or ‘giant grass tree’) is a tall palm-like species which grows from 2 to 12 metres high. It is reportedly the largest heath plant in the world. Anyone who has walked around Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania will have seen this species looming out the forest along the route.
The plant usually grows on a single stem but may be occasionally branched. It has tapering leaves with sheathing bases (i.e. the base of the leaf wraps completely around the stem). The white or deep pink flowers occur on panicles (a branched inflorescence) up to 25 cm long. They arise from the leaf axils and are often hidden among the leaves.
Sprengelia incarnata
Sprengelia is a small genus of about six species all endemic to eastern Australia. They are small, wiry shrubs usually found in moist, protected locations.
Sprengelia incarnata (‘pink swamp-heath’) occurs over a wide range and is sometimes cultivated by enthusiasts. It is an erect shrub up to a metre high and about 0.5 metres wide. The stem-clasping leaves wrap around the stems and overlap (sheathing). The pale pink, star-shaped flowers occur in elongated clusters from the ends of the branches.
Styphelia affinis
The Styphelias are an interesting group. The flowers are similar to Epacris but have the ends of the petals rolled back. They are also sometimes called ‘five corners’ because of the shape of the fruit. The genus has been greatly enlarged in recent years due to the transfer of many species of related genera such as Astroloma and Leucopogon to an expanded Styphelia genus. The genus is distributed from Indo-China through the Pacific to Australia. In Australia, there are about 150 Styphelia species found in all states and territories.
Styphelia affinis (‘lance beard-heath’) has had a chequered history as far as naming is concerned. For many years the species was known as Leucopogon lanceolatus but this was changed to Leucopogon affinis (the named originally published by Robert Brown in 1810). The plant was then caught up in the expansion of the Styphelia genus to give its current name.
Styphelia affinis is a medium to large bushy shrub, usually 2 to 3 metres high but occasionally higher. Flowering is usually in spring and the small, white flowers are about 4 mm long, occurring in racemes of up to 10 or more flowers.
Styphelia triflora
Styphelia triflora (‘pink five-corners’) is a native of coastal and inland areas of New South Wales and Queensland. It usually has pink flowers with the petals having white, woolly tips. Forms with cream or yellowish flowers are occasionally seen. The plant is rarely cultivated due to the lack of availability of plants. If you can obtain one (or any other Styphelia for that matter), you will find it very rewarding.
Woolsia pungens
While very similar to many of the Epacris in general appearance, Woolsia has distinctive flowers with the tips of the petals curving backwards slightly. The flowers occur in terminal spikes and are usually white but pink forms exist.
Woolsia pungens (‘snow heath‘) is the only species in the genus Woolsia and it can be found in coastal and mountain areas of New South Wales and Southern Queensland.
Growing Conditions
While generalisations are always dangerous, most of the epacrids appreciate moist (but not wet or boggy) soils. Well drained sandy loam would be ideal. The plants seem to perform best with some protection from full sun but not heavy shade. There is no need to apply regular applications of fertiliser – a small quantity of a slow-release type at planting time is adequate for several seasons.
If the straggling habit developed by some species is undesirable, plants may be given a light regular pruning after flowering.
Most of the epacrids are particularly suited to growing in containers. The sight of Epacris longiflora with its arching branches covered with red and white bells is truly spectacular!
Growing Your Own
Propagation of Epacris and its relatives is not recommended for the beginner. It’s not that they are impossible to propagate, it’s just that seed is not readily available and success with cuttings can be unpredictable.
Sometimes, though, excellent results can be obtained using methods that have consistently failed previously. For example, Dracophyllum secundum (a beautiful species with dramatic, sheathing leaves and racemes of pink flowers) is a notoriously difficult species to propagate. However, a few years ago I managed a 50% strike, a feat I’d never achieved previously (or since, for that matter). It just goes to show that we still have a lot to learn about the mysteries of our native flora.
Cuttings seem to strike best with the use of hormone solutions to promote root growth. In my experience a solution comprising a mix of Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) works better with this group of plants than a single hormone. 1000 mg/L IBA/500 mg/L NAA has given good results with some species. The problem for amateur growers is obtaining supplies. Another product that I’ve used successfully with Epacris longiflora is Clonex – this seems widely available and the ‘purple’ variety is probably best. One point to remember with any of these products is that their effectiveness deteriorates over time. They should be stored in a refrigerator when not being used.
Oh,…and if you do have some success in striking cuttings, be very careful potting them up. They have very fine and fragile roots which are easily damaged.
Edited and updated from an article published in the September/October 1993 issue of “Gardens and Backyards” magazine.