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RE: Epacridaceae: Epacris, Woollsia, Styphelia, Leucopogon, Trochocarpa, etc.

There are about 371 species of Eparicidaceae in Australia most occuring
in the Southern regions including Tasmania. Climatically this
encompasses most of the medit zones into sub alpine  in Tasmania and out
the other way into more sub tropical areas on the east coast in
Queensland. In Western Australia alone there are 189 species represented
most growing in the south west corner of the state (typical medit
conditions on the whole).
I've not tried growing any Epacrids as they can be quite tricky but I am
sure someone will let us know which species are easy. My favourites are
the Astrolomas which always catch out the unwary. They look so soft and
inviting like a little green pillow but those leaves? spikes are SHARP
and STIFF and always evoke a response from first time feelers  :-)  The
little red or white tube flowers are very attractive  and add a lovely
splash of colour to the bush and the green is very intense. They usually
grow in areas of good drainage in sandy country or gravel breakaways in
the wheatbelt.
If you can find some seed or plants try growing them as they a very
attractive, but probably difficult unless very happy with the location.
Any one out there growing them?

cheers,
Rod Randall
Weed Risk Assessment
Weed Science Group, Agriculture Western Australia
rprandall@sp.agric.wa.gov.au
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/Weedsci.htm

                   "I weed..."

> ----------
> From: 	Tom Schweich
> Sent: 	Monday, 21 April 1997 1:53 AM
> To: 	medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
> Subject: 	Epacridaceae: Epacris, Woollsia, Styphelia, Leucopogon,
> Trochocarpa, etc.
> 
> A weekend of so ago, I was doing some volunteer work in the U. C.
> Berkeley Herbarium. One of the tasks reserved for lucky volunteers is
> the filing of vouchers back into the cases. I had a whole bunch (=50?)
> vouchers in the Epacridaceae, with the genii listed above. They all
> seemed to come from Australia. On the World Wide Web I learned they
> are
> in Order Ericales, which makes sense since many specimens looked
> somewhat like heaths. The family occurs in Australia, south-east Asia,
> some Pacific Islands, and South America. I also learned that Epacris
> impressa (pink form) is the state floral emblem for Victoria,
> Australia. 
> 
> So the questions would be:
> 
> 1. Do any of the Epacridaceae occur in what we consider the
> Mediterranean regions of Australia?
> 
> 2. Are there members of the family that have horticultural value? Or,
> that members of medit-plants grow in their gardens?
> 
> -- 
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Tom Schweich   http://www.well.com/user/schweich
> s*@well.com  s*@us.ibm.com
>
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