Homalospermum firmum

Family: Myrtaceae
Distribution: South-west of Western Australia often in seasonally wet conditions.
Common Name: No generally accepted common name.
Conservation Status: Not considered to be at risk in the wild
Derivation of Name: Homalospermum… From Greek homalos, flat and equal and spermum, a seed, referring to the seeds which have two flat surfaces.
firmum… From Latin firmum, strong or powerful, referring to the stiff foliage.

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General Description:

Homalospermum is a monotypic genus (Homalospermum firmum). It is a medium shrub from 1 to 4 metres high with flowers that are similar to those of Leptospermum. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped up to 30 mm long and 3 mm wide.  The white (occasionally pink) flowers are about 20 mm in diameter and occur in the leaf axils during spring and early summer. They are followed woody seed capsules about 10 mm in diameter.

Homalospermum firmum is not often cultivated but it is an attractive plant when in flower and should be suitable for temperate climates in moist soils and in a sunny or partially shaded position. It should be tolerant of at least moderate frosts.

Propagation can be carried out from seed which does not require any pre-treatment.  Cuttings of firm, current season’s growth can be expected to strike reliably.

 

 

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Homalospermum firmum
Photo: John Wrigley – Australian National Botanic Gardens

 

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