General Description:

Rhadinothamnus is a small genus of three species of small to medium sized shrubs, all of which are found in the south-west of Western Australia. The Western Australian herbarium has subsumed Rhadinothamnus into the related genus Chorilaena (see Florabase) but this change has not yet been taken up in the Australian Plant Census.

Rhadinothamnus rudis is a small shrub up to about 1.5 metres high with terete branchlets.  Three subspecies are recognised (subsp. rudis, subsp. amblycarpus, subsp. linearis) which differ in the characteristics of the seed capsules and leaves.  The latter vary between about 10 -30 mm long and may be oval, triangular or narrowly oblong in shape with a notched apex.  The white, five-petalled flowers arise from the leaf axils and are seen at most times of the year. 

Species of Rhadinothamnus are rarely seen in cultivation. R. rudis  would be an attractive garden or container plant due to its well displayed flowers and unusual foliage. It is best suited to Mediterranean climates (cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers), typical of its natural range in southwestern Australia, and would probably be difficult to establish in wetter, humid climates.  It would need well-drained sandy or gravelly soils in a sunny or lightly shaded position. Light pruning after flowering would help encourage denser growth and promote flowering.

Propagation from cuttings of firm, current seasons growth should be successful but may be slow to strike.  Seed, if available, can be expected to be difficult to germinate.