General Description:

The plant family Ericaceae (heaths and heathers) is widespread in many parts of the globe, particularly Europe and South Africa. It contains a number of widely cultivated plants such as Erica, Rhododendron and Pieris.

Like most of Australia’s members of the Ericaceae, Styphelia belongs to the subfamily Epacridoideae, which was formerly classified as a separate family, the Epacridaceae. Styphelia is closely related to Epacris, the main difference being the distinctly hairy inner surface of the petals in Styphelia.

Until recently, Styphelia comprised 14 species. However, the classification of Styphelia has been contentious for many years and a study carried out in 2020* determined that many species in related genera such as Astroloma and Leucopogon warrant inclusion in an expanded Styphelia genus. This work has been accepted in the Australian Plant Census (which ANPSA recognises as the authority on plant taxonomy). As a result, the genus Styphelia is now regarded as comprising about 260 species distributed from Indo-China through the Pacific to Australia.

In Australia, there are about 150 species found in all states and territories. They range from small to large shrubs with tubular flowers.

Styphelia humifusa (previously Astroloma humifusum) is a low growing or prostrate plant with upright branches to about 50 cm high.  The leaves are linear to narrowly oval shaped, bluish-green in colour, about 5-15 mm long and 0.5-3 mm wide. They taper to a fine point.  The red, tubular flowers are about 20 mm long and occur singly from the leaf axils, sometimes hidden within the foliage.  Flowers are usually seen at their best in winter but can also seen in autumn and early spring.  The flowers are followed by green berries, which turn reddish as they ripen and become edible, although the berries contain a large stone.

Like other members of the genus, S.humifusa is not often seen in cultivation except in the gardens of enthusiasts. The species prefers well drained soils in a sunny or lightly shaded location. It is tolerant of at least moderate frosts and can cope with dry periods once established.

Propagation is usually by cuttings of firm current season’s growth and improved results have been reported when a root-promoting hormone is used. The species can be grown from seed but this is not readily available.

* Crayn DM, Hislop M, Puente-Lelièvre C (2020);  A phylogenetic recircumscription of Styphelia (Ericaceae, Epacridoideae, Styphelieae). Australian Systematic Botany 33 137–168