Scholtzia uberiflora

Family: Myrtaceae
Distribution: Central coast and adjacent areas of Western Australia.
Common Name: No generally accepted common name.
Conservation Status: Not currently listed as threatened under the EPBC Act*. Its status in the wild is uncertain due to inadequate data and classified as 2KC- under the ROTAP * system.
Derivation of Name: Scholtzia…after Dr. H. Scholtz, MD a German botanist who studied ferns in the 19th century.
uberiflora…Derivation uncertain; may be derived from the German word, uber, meaning over or superior, referring to the superior flowers.

General Description:

Scholtzia is a genus of about 15 species, closely related to the better known Baeckea and Astartea. The members of the genus are all small to medium shrubs and occur naturally only in Western Australia. They are not often found in cultivation in the eastern states.

Scholtzia uberiflora is a straggling shrub up to 2 metres in height with small, oval to heart-shaped leaves 2 to 3 mm wide. The small, five-petalled flowers are white to pale pink and occur in clusters on stalks arising from the leaf axils. The flowers are followed by small, woodly fruits which release the seed when ripe. Flowering usually occurs in late winter and spring.

This species has not been cultivated to any extent but is likely to prefer very well-drained soils in a sunny or partially shaded location. Once established it should be able to withstand extended dry periods.

Propagation may be carried out from seed but this is rarely available. Cuttings of firm, current-season’s growth are reported to strike readily.