Epacris obtusifolia

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Ordo: Ericales

Familia: Ericaceae
Subfamilia: Epacridoideae
Tribus: Epacrideae
Genus: Epacris
Species: Epacris obtusifolia
Name

Epacris obtusifolia Sm., Exot. Bot. 1: 77. t. 40. 1804.

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental:Australasia
Regional:Australia
Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania)

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Smith, J.E. 1804–1805. Exotic Botany, vol. 1. R. Taylor and Co, London. vii+118 pp. gBooks. Reference page. : 1: 77, t. 40.

Links

Hassler, M. 2020. Epacris obtusifolia. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2020. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2020 Apr 22. Reference page.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Epacris obtusifolia in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2020 Apr 22. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2020. Epacris obtusifolia. Published online. Accessed: Apr 22 2020.
Tropicos.org 2020. Epacris obtusifolia. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2020 Apr 22.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Epacris obtusifolia in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 09-Oct-10.

Vernacular names
English: Blunt-leaf Heath

Epacris obtusifolia is common plant from the heath family. The blunt-leaf heath grows in swampy areas and heathland in eastern Australia. It is usually seen growing less than a metre tall. Flowers form in any time of the year, but are mostly seen between July and January.

The specific epithet obtusifolia is derived from Latin, referring to the thickly tipped blunt leaves.[1] The original specimen was collected in Sydney in the early colonial years. And it was first recorded in scientific literature in the year 1805, published by the eminent English botanist James Edward Smith.[2]

Growing up to a metre (3 ft) tall (though mostly 50–80 cm high), Epacris obtusifolia is a dainty shrub with tiny elliptic leaves which measure 6.4 to 11.5 mm long and 1.5 to 3.1 mm wide. Appearing mainly from July to January, the white bell-shaped flowers are arranged along the stems.[3] Although only 4–8 mm long, their numbers make them conspicuous.[4]

Found in New South Wales east of the Great Dividing Range, as well as Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, Epacris obtusifolia is found in wet heathland.[3] In the Sydney region it is associated with such plants as coral fern (Gleichenia dicarpa), swamp banksia (Banksia robur), and the sedge Lepidosperma limicola.[5] Plants live between ten and twenty years, and are killed by fire and regenerate from seed which lies dormant in the soil. The seedlings reach flowering age within four years.[5]

Epacris obtusifolia can be propagated by cutting and requires a well-drained yet moist position in the garden.[6] It was first cultivated in the United Kingdom in 1804.[7]
References

Les Robinson - Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN 978-0-7318-1211-0 page 107
"Epacris obtusifolia Sm". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
J. M. Powell. "New South Wales Flora Online: Epacris obtusifolia". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
Fairley, Alan; Moore, Philip (2000). Native Plants of the Sydney District:An Identification Guide (2nd ed.). Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 93. ISBN 0-7318-1031-7.
Benson, Doug; McDougall, Lyn (1995). "Ecology of Sydney Plants 3: families Cabombaceae to Eupomatiaceae" (PDF). Cunninghamia. 4 (2): 217–429. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2016-12-23.
Walters, Brian (June 2010). "Epacris obtusifolia". Australian Native Plants Society. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
Elliot RW, Jones DL, Blake T (1984). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation:Volume 3 - Ce-Er. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. p. 416. ISBN 0-85091-167-2.