Family:

Myrtaceae

Kunzea parvifolia

Violet Kunzea

Other Names:

Name Origin:

Kunzea — after Dr Gustav Kunze (1793-1851), professor of medicine and botany, Leipzig.

parvifolia — from Latin parvus, small, and foli, leaf, referring to small leaves.

Regional Subspecies:

Occurrence:

Regional:

Noted east of the Hume Highway in the areas: Yarra Yarra; Four Mile; Lunts-Sugarloaf; Coppabella; Ournie; Tooma; Ardenside-Welaregang; Carabost, and Gilmore Lower and Sandy.

Australia:

NSW, Vic.

Habitat:

Heath and dry sclerophyll forest.

Habit:

Erect shrub to 1.5 m high with slender wiry reddish branches and small leaves mostly 1-3.5 mm long. Forms thickets similar to tea-tree scrub.

Site Preference:

Rocky slopes, especially near seepage areas.

Characteristics:

Very hardy.

Flowering:

Pink to purple (rarely white), spring-early summer.

Seed Collection:

Early Jan — late May. Monitor closely as seeds shed 3-14 days after maturity.

Propagation:

From seed, sown early autumn, or cuttings about 10 cm long in Jan. Rooting hormones should enhance strike rate. Most Kunzeas germinate readily in 3-5 weeks. Surface sow or cover lightly. Capillary watering may be beneficial.

VALUES:

Shade & Shelter:

Useful low-level cover in windbreaks.

Land Protection:

Stabilises soil.

Wildlife:

Good habitat. Foliage excellent refuge for small birds. Flowers are a nectar source for honeyeaters and other native birds.

Ornamental:

Attractive when flowering. Regular pruning beneficial.