General Description:

Zieria is a genus of about 60 species, all but one endemic to Australia (one species occurs in New Caledonia). The genus is closely related to the much better known Boronia from which it differs in having 4 rather than 8 stamens. Generally, zierias are not popular in cultivation because they generally have smaller and less colourful flowers than Boronia.

Zieria prostrata is a prostrate plant that spreads to about 0.5-0.75 metres.  The glossy-green leaves are 3-lobed (trifoliate) with oval shaped leaflets to about 15 mm long. Like most species in the Rutaceae the leaves have conspicuous oil glands that give the leaves a ‘warty’ appearance and they have a very strong aroma when crushed.  The small flowers (about 4 – 5 mm diameter) occur in clusters from the leaf axils and are pale pink, fading to white, with four petals. They occur in late winter and spring.

This species has been grown in cultivation for a number of years and it has proven to be very hardy in well drained soils in full sun or semi shade. It withstands extended dry periods once established and is tolerant of at least moderate frost.  It is sometimes marketed as Zieria ‘Carpet Star’.

In common with most members of the Rutaceae, propagation of Z.prostrata from seed is difficult but cuttings usually strike readily from current season’s growth.

* EPBC Act = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
ROTAP = Rare or Threatened Australian Plants (Briggs and Leigh, 1988)
For further information refer the Australian Plants at Risk page