General Description:

Philotheca is a genus of about 45 species, all of which occur only in Australia. The genus includes most species previously classified as Eriostemon, the only species remaining in Eriostemon being E.australasius and E. banksii. Philotheca is closely related to the well-known Boronia, the most obvious distinction being the presence of 4 petals in Boronia and 5 in Philotheca. The leaves are also opposite in Boronia and alternate in Philotheca.

Philotheca salsolifolia is a small to medium sized shrub from 0.5 to 2 metres high.  The leaves are linear and more or less terete (rounded in cross-section).  They are 3-15 mm long and about 1 mm wide with an acute or rounded tip. The five-petalled flowers are pink or mauve with each petal having a darker central stripe. Flowers are about 20-25 mm in diameter and occur singly or in groups of two or three at the ends of branchlets. Flowering occurs during spring and early summer.

Two subspecies are recognised which differ in the nature of the pedicels (flower stalks) and foliage:

• Philotheca salsolifolia subsp. salsolifolia – widespread in coastal and near coastal New South Wales, extending inland to the Pilliga area.
• Philotheca salsolifolia subsp. pedicillata – occurs near Angourie on the north coast of New South Wales.

Although a very attractive species, P.salsolifolia is not widely cultivated due mainly to difficulties in propagation. Limited experience suggests that it requires a well drained moist soil in a sunny or semi-shaded position.  It is tolerant of at least moderate frosts.

In common with most members of the Rutaceae, propagation of P.salsolifolia from seed is difficult. Unfortunately propagation from cuttings has also proven to be extremely difficult.