Practical
Plants

Pimelea prostrata

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
0.1 m
Spread
0.4 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[3][4]. Up to 2mm in diameter[5]. The fruits can be fleshy or dry[5].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

Plants form carpets and can be grown as a ground cover[6]. They are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Dry open places in coastal to sub-alpine rocky, stony or gravelly sites, river terraces, grassland, open shrubland and fell field in North and South Islands[7].
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[5]. Softwood cuttings 5cm long in late spring[5].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a lime-free peaty well-drained loam[5]. Prefers a deep cool root run in a sunny position[2]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, the plants usually require greenhouse protection but they could succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given protection from severe weather[1]. They tolerate frosts down to about -5°c if growing in a sheltered position in a well-drained soil[5] and can be grown in the rock garden or scree[5]. Rather slow growing[5]. Flowers are produced on the tips of the previous seasons growth. Plants may suffer from sudden die back[5]. Hermaphrodite and dioecious forms exist.

References

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

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  3. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  6. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  7. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

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