Family:

Proteaceae

Lomatia myricoides

River Lomatia

(syn. Lomatia longifolia plus others)

Other Names: Long-leaf Lomatia

Name Origin:

Lomatia — from Greek loma, fringe or border, referring to leaf stalk- border around seed wing.

myricoides — from Greek Myrica and oides, similar to, referring to resemblance Myrica species, the Wax Myrtles.

Regional Subspecies:

Occurrence:

Regional:

Noted in the areas: Paddy’s River-Burra Valley and Tooma. Probably also in surrounding areas in similar country.

Australia:

NSW, Vic.

Habitat:

Often along watercourses or in sclerophyll forest, at altitudes up to 1000 m.

Habit:

Open shrub or small tree 2-5 m high. Narrow leaves 5-20 cm long, with toothed margins.

Site Preference:

Shaded cool positions in moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates most frost, and dry periods once established. Tolerates short periods of wetness.

Characteristics:

Very attractive river bank shrub.

Flowering:

Usually creamy (sometimes pink), summer. Fragrant. Flowers regularly except during drought.

Seed Collection:

Early to late Jul, when follicle becomes dark and splits. Monitor closely as seeds released immediately or within 1-2 days of maturity. Large quantities produced.

Propagation:

From seed or green hardened cuttings. Germinates readily from fresh seed. Grow young plants in pots for 12 months before planting out. Seedlings from seed and cuttings slow-growing.

Regeneration:

From seed.

VALUES:

Shade & Shelter:

May be useful low-level cover in windbreaks.

Land Protection:

Useful in controlling streambank erosion due to soil-binding fibrous roots. Tolerates floods.

Wildlife:

Probably food source for insect and nectar-feeding birds, and stream habitat for fish.

Ornamental:

Attractive for screening or informal hedges. Flowers well with summer watering. Lightly prune regularly to promote bushiness. Grows in full sun if ample moisture available.

Other:

Flowers suitable for indoor decoration.