Practical
Plants

Wittsteinia vacciniacea

Baw-Baw Berry

a perennial woody member of the Wittsteinia genus in the family Epacridaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit[2]. No more details are given.

Plant part
Fruit

Environment

Range
Australia - Victoria.
Habitat
Found in the sub-alpine zone at altitudes between 900 - 1500 metres[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters before trying them outdoors. Cuttings. Probably it is best to take these in July or August in a frame. It is quite likely that, as with many members of this family, plants have very fine root systems and great care must be taken when transplanting them.

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 can be grown outdoors in Britain. One report says that it requires greenhouse protection in this country[1]. However, plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[4], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and colder wetter and longer winters. It would certainly be worthwhile trying it outdoors in the milder areas of the country[K]. It is likely to require a sunny sheltered position.

References

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

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  2. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4

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  3. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

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  4. Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0

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