Practical
Plants

Pimelea microcephala

Mallee Riceflower

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Pimelea genus in the family Thymelaeaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Pimelea
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
4.5 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit[4]. No more details are given.

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tough fibre obtained from the stems is used as a tying material and for cordage[2][3].

Product or use
Fibre

Environment

Range
Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria.
Habitat
Mainly on sandy soils[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn if this is possible, otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[6]. Softwood cuttings 5cm long in late spring[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a lime-free peaty well-drained loam[1][6] in a sunny position[5]. Rather slow growing[6]. Flowers are produced on the tips of the previous seasons growth. Plants may suffer from sudden die back. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8

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  4. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

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  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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