Family:

Ericaceae

Astroloma humifusum

Native Cranberry

Other Names: Cranberry Heath

Regional Subspecies:

Occurrence:

Regional:

Noted in the higher rainfall areas: Coppabella; Jingellic and Upper Gilmore.

Habitat:

Ridges and slopes in dry sclerophyll forest over sandstone, shales and basalt, often in disturbed sites.

Habit:

Small, mat-forming densely-branched shrub with branches to 50 cm high. Bright to dark red tubular flowers, particularly May-Sep, and blue-green stiff, prickly narrow leaves.

Site Preference:

Requires well-drained soil. Tolerates frost and extended dry periods.

Characteristics:

Responds well to pruning.

Seed Collection:

Harvest Astroloma seed early Sep to late Mar. Monitor closely as mature seeds shed in 3-14 days.

Propagation:

From cuttings of very young but firm new growth. Difficult to root, and propagate from seed.

VALUES:

Wildlife:

Good habitat — provides nectar for native birds.

First Nations:

The sweet fruits were eaten.

Ornamental:

Widely cultivated for rockeries, embankments, groundcover and planting beneath larger shrubs.

Other:

The sweet fruits can be used in jams and jellies. Apparently not eaten by stock, due to its prickliness.