Lomatia polymorpha 8581
Author: Robert Brown (1773-1858)Family: Proteaceae Subfamily: Grevilleoideae Tribe: Embothrieae Subtribe: Lomatiinae
Genus: Lomatia
English name: Mountain Guitar Plant
Zone: Australia
Description
This species is endemic in Tasmania where it occurs approximately south of the Pieman River and west of the Derwent River, where it grows from sea level to an altitude of nearly 1000m. The species epithet means that it has many forms.
Lomatia polymorpha Observed in Australia by Cowirrie (license)
Botanical Description
It is a shrub or small tree to 2.5m tall. The stems are sometimes tomentose.
The leaves simple, subsessile or petiole to 0.5cm. The lamina is more or less linear to narrowly ovate, elliptic or obovate, rarely broader, 2-8cm long, 2.5-10mm wide, attenuate, entire, acute to rounded or sometimes 3- or 5-lobed or toothed at apex, mucronate, densely ferruginous-tomentose below. The venation inconspicuous above.
The conflorescence is solitary or rarely aggregated, terminal and sometimes axillary, barely exceeding leaves. The peduncle and pedicel are sparsely to densely ferruginous-hairy. The pedicel is 6-12mm long. The perianth is 1-1.5cm long, white, cream or greenish white, sparsely tomentose. The gynophore is 5-7mm long. The style is 3-5mm long.
The follicle is 2-3cm long, dark grey to black, usually glaucous. The seeds are 3-4mm long. The wing is 6-9mm long.
The leaves simple, subsessile or petiole to 0.5cm. The lamina is more or less linear to narrowly ovate, elliptic or obovate, rarely broader, 2-8cm long, 2.5-10mm wide, attenuate, entire, acute to rounded or sometimes 3- or 5-lobed or toothed at apex, mucronate, densely ferruginous-tomentose below. The venation inconspicuous above.
The conflorescence is solitary or rarely aggregated, terminal and sometimes axillary, barely exceeding leaves. The peduncle and pedicel are sparsely to densely ferruginous-hairy. The pedicel is 6-12mm long. The perianth is 1-1.5cm long, white, cream or greenish white, sparsely tomentose. The gynophore is 5-7mm long. The style is 3-5mm long.
The follicle is 2-3cm long, dark grey to black, usually glaucous. The seeds are 3-4mm long. The wing is 6-9mm long.
Useful plant
It is a very showy species with variable foliage and has had limited cultivation. It is an excellent shrub for general planting or as a pot plant. They respond well to light pruning and are useful for screening purposes.
References
- Encyclopedia of Australian Plants, Elliot W. Rodger & Jones David L. 2012 pag. 232-233. ISBN
- Flora of Australia. profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile Vol. 16 pag. 379-381. Lomatia polymorpha
References
- Encyclopedia of Australian Plants, Elliot W. Rodger & Jones David L. 2012 pag. 232-233. ISBN
- Flora of Australia. profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile Vol. 16 pag. 379-381. Lomatia polymorpha
References for the genus
General specifications
Biological type: shrub
Frost resistance: 21ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: white
No transplantation: Yes
IUCN Red List of threatened species status: Least Concern
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 13,1ft x 13,1ft
Sun exposure: shadow (Sun hours: <3h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: slow
Flowering time from September until November
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 40%Compost+20%Peet+40%Sand
Plant watering: 1x a day pH 5.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Heathers; forestry plate, forestry pot 3L, Airpot 12L, Airpot 50L
Propagation is done by cuttings
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 900-1800mm
Acidic soil: a little
Draining soil: much
Ornemental: a little
Frost resistance: 21ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: white
No transplantation: Yes
IUCN Red List of threatened species status: Least Concern
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 13,1ft x 13,1ft
Sun exposure: shadow (Sun hours: <3h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: slow
Flowering time from September until November
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 40%Compost+20%Peet+40%Sand
Plant watering: 1x a day pH 5.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Heathers; forestry plate, forestry pot 3L, Airpot 12L, Airpot 50L
Propagation is done by cuttings
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 900-1800mm
Acidic soil: a little
Draining soil: much
Ornemental: a little
Sowing instructions
SPRING Sow the seeds at 5mm depth in the Well Drained Seed Sowing Mix between 68-77°F. During germination keep the substrate moist and in daylight.
Cuttings instructions
Take the cuttings in early spring, soak them in a hormonal preparation for cuttings. Plant them in a substrate rich in perlite and keep them sufficiently moist in sealed freezer bags.
Cuttings instructions
Take the cuttings in early spring, soak them in a hormonal preparation for cuttings. Plant them in a substrate rich in perlite and keep them sufficiently moist in sealed freezer bags.
Experiences in the garden
03-11-17A Obtaining seeds from seed provider Wildseed Tasmania.
08-03-18 Sown seeds in a tray, they did not geminate.
Protocol: Spring 2mm Sowing mix+Sand 59-68°F Damp substrate+Light
11-06-19B Obtaining 6 plants from nursery Arven
18-12-20 1x Dead plant: No information: Ombr7d C6.
08-04-21 5x Dead plant: No information.
29-01-20C Obtaining seeds from seed provider Wildseed Tasmania.
01-04-20 Sown 16 seeds in a seed plate F and germinated at 07-05-20.
Protocol: Spring 2mm Sowing mix+Sand 64-72°F Damp substrate+Light
22-05-24 Sown 16 seeds in a seed plate ½, they did not geminate in Serre3.
Protocol: Spring 5mm Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F Damp substrate+Light
. . . 2020C Production of 2 plants in our nursery: Petit29 1x F3 Petit24 1x C6
04-10-21D Obtaining 3 plants from nursery Arven, they are in our nursery Ombr4g 1x A12
08-03-22 1x Dead plant: No information: Serre9 A12.
15-01-25 1x Plant not found in nursery: Ombr4g A12.